Ex-Met Detective Lied About Wife's Death in Barbados

A former Metropolitan Police detective investigated for sexually exploiting vulnerable crime victims lied about the death of his wife in a Barbados hotel room. Warren Arter first met his wife Rebekah after she reported domestic abuse to the Met in 2006, before abusing her for more than a decade. Her death in a blood-stained room at the O2 Beach Club hotel occurred two years ago and has never been properly investigated.

Investigation and Failures

Barbados authorities failed to preserve evidence, failed to take vital forensic tests, and failed to interview hotel staff about Arter's suspicious behavior before and after Rebekah died at age 47. A local pathologist inexplicably chopped up her organs. Despite a request from her family, the Met did not send detectives to the island, stating no allegation of criminality had been made. Four days after the death, a senior Met boss from Gold Command was briefed, but this still did not lead to officers traveling to the Caribbean.

Hotel Staff Accounts

Hotel staff who entered the room after Arter called reception to say his wife had collapsed said it was immediately clear Rebekah was dead. Arter gave conflicting accounts to staff and family, claiming she had choked, fallen and banged her head, or that he had simply woken up and found her dead. A security guard named Andrew stated he had to stop Arter from leaving for a street party to clear his head, and observed Arter performing fake CPR while crying crocodile tears even though Rebekah's lips were blue. Bloodstains were found on the bed, wall, and living room area, yet Andrew noted no signs of a head injury despite Arter's claims.

Background and Context

Arter was placed in charge of a south-east London unit investigating rape cases three years after meeting Rebekah. He was later suspended and investigated over his conduct toward eight alleged victims by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, but was never convicted. During seven years of suspension, Arter continued to receive his full detective inspector salary before being dismissed in 2023 for drug offences. BBC investigations saw video evidence showing Arter subjected Rebekah to sexual and domestic abuse, coercive control, and drugging. Arter, 54, took his own life in HMP Wandsworth days after returning from Barbados and being arrested for allegedly abusing another woman.

Context

Police oversight bodies like the Independent Office for Police Conduct investigate serious allegations against law enforcement officers in the UK. Gold Command structures within police forces manage critical incidents and high-level operational decisions during major emergencies or investigations.