A British man accused of fatally stabbing a security guard at a Costa del Sol restaurant linked to former “Towie” star Elliott Wright has vanished after being released on bail, according to local authorities. Harry Saunders, 35, was charged with manslaughter in the April 2023 death of 55-year-old Jose Rafael Pisani Prado, a doorman at the venue and was due to face trial later this year. However, Saunders disappeared following his bail release, prompting a renewed police investigation.
The incident occurred at a restaurant in Marbella, Spain, where Pisani Prado, a father of two, was employed as a security officer. Surveillance footage and witness accounts obtained by Spanish authorities indicate the altercation began over a dispute related to a customer’s behavior, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Pisani Prado was found with critical stab wounds and later died in a hospital in Seville, according to a statement from the Andalusian police. No arrest was made at the scene, and Saunders was not detained until weeks later.
Saunders, who has no prior criminal record in the UK or Spain, was granted bail in January 2024 under strict conditions, including surrendering his passport and reporting to authorities weekly. However, he failed to comply with these requirements and went missing by late March. Spanish prosecutors have since issued an international arrest warrant, and the UK National Crime Agency is assisting in the search. A police spokesperson confirmed that Saunders’ disappearance “raises serious concerns about his compliance with legal obligations” and that “all available resources are being deployed to locate him.”
The restaurant, which was owned by Elliott Wright—a former cast member of the UK reality show “Made in Chelsea”—has not publicly commented on the case. Wright, who has since relocated to the Costa del Sol, was not directly involved in the incident but has faced scrutiny over his business ventures in the region. Local media reports suggest the venue, which opened in 2021, has experienced multiple legal challenges, including disputes over licensing and labor practices.
Spanish prosecutors have stated that the case hinges on the timeline of events and the nature of the alleged confrontation. Forensic evidence, including a knife reportedly linked to Saunders, is being analyzed by the Seville Forensic Science Institute. A spokesperson for the institution confirmed that “the weapon’s origin and ownership are critical to determining the circumstances of the attack.”
Authorities in both Spain and the UK have emphasized that Saunders’ evasion of bail “constitutes a separate offense” and could lead to additional charges. A court in Málaga is scheduled to review his case in early May, though his absence may delay proceedings. Meanwhile, the search for Saunders continues, with police urging the public to come forward with any information about his whereabouts.
