A former Metropolitan Police detective, Warren Arter, who had been investigated for sexually exploiting vulnerable crime victims, later lied about the death of his wife, Rebekah Arter, in a Barbados hotel room, according to BBC Panorama.
Rebekah Arter, 47, died two years ago, and the cause of her death remains unknown, with a UK coroner recording an open verdict. Hotel staff who were called to the room in June 2024 after Arter reported his wife had collapsed, along with police sources and Arter's communications, indicate he gave conflicting accounts of what happened. These included claims she had choked, fallen and banged her head, or that he had woken to find her dead.
Panorama has revealed alleged failures by Barbadian authorities to preserve evidence and interview hotel staff about Arter's behaviour before and after Rebekah's death. The Metropolitan Police stated they did not send detectives to the Caribbean island because no allegation of criminality had been made, despite a request for assistance from Rebekah's family.
Arter, 54, took his own life in HMP Wandsworth days after returning from Barbados and being arrested for allegedly abusing another woman. He had been suspended by the Met and investigated by the IOPC over his conduct towards eight alleged victims, but was never convicted. He was dismissed in 2023 for drug offences.