A Brechin man has told how he fought to save the life of his beloved partner after he discovered her lifeless on her birthday.
Raymond Kessack desperately performed CPR on Elaine Robertson on Wednesday morning but she was declared dead shortly afterwards by paramedics who had rushed to the scene.
Raymond, 76, who retired two years ago after 50 years in the Royal Navy, says he is absolutely devastated at 36-year-old mum Elaine’s sudden passing.
Heartbreak as Elaine dies despite efforts to save her
He said: “I can’t believe she has gone. I tried so hard to save her life but sadly it wasn’t to be.
“The paramedics also tried to save her but they told me she was gone.”
Raymond said the incident unfolded when he woke up Elaine was not in bed and, assuming she had fallen asleep in the sitting room, he went to see her.
Elaine’s seven-year-old daughter said her mum was still asleep but he was hit with a wave of fear when he went to wake her and realised she was unresponsive.
“I couldn’t waken Elaine and called 999 for an ambulance,” he said.
“The operator talked me through CPR on the phone while I waited for the paramedics to arrive.
“However, I knew how to do it from my days in the navy.”
Police concern over previous drug use
Raymond says there has been a heavy police presence ever since at the temporary home they share at Meikle Mill on the town‘s River Street.
He claims officers told him they are considering the possibility Elaine had taken drugs.
However, Raymond is adamant his beloved partner had been clean for many years.
“I really don’t know what happened to her,” he said.
“There are police all over the flat now and I’m finding it hard to find anything out.
“They told me they are there because they say there is concern that Elaine had taken drugs.
“Elaine was addicted to drugs before we got together seven years ago and before her daughter, who is my step-daughter, was born but in all the years we have been together she has been clean.
“She worked really hard to stay clean and was successful. She needed prescription drugs but that was all she ever took.”
She was a brilliant mum
Raymond paid tribute to Elaine who he describes as a “brilliant mum” who had a loving personality.
He added: “I’m just very upset and confused right now. Elaine’s body was taken to Dundee and I haven’t seen her since.
“I’m trying to organise the funeral and need to get access to paper work from the flat to help with that.
“Elaine was a lovely lady and I loved her dearly. What has happened is a tragedy.
“She was a brilliant mum. We are just going to miss her so much.
“She was far too young to die.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “We were called to River Street, Brechin at around 12.40pm on Wednesday following a report of concern for a person.
“A 36-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and a reports will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
