The tragic story of a Florida family has unfolded with an unexpected connection to the world of sports broadcasting. It has been revealed that Richard James, whose wife and two children were found dead in their upscale Florida home, is the brother of well-known Sky Sports presenter Polly James.
Richard, aged 45, was on a business trip in South America when the shocking events occurred. His wife, Monika Rubacha, 44, and their children, Josh, 14, and Emma, 11, were discovered lifeless in their $1.7 million mansion last Thursday. Authorities report that Monika is believed to have taken the lives of her children in different rooms before ending her own life.
The horrifying discovery came after Richard James, unable to reach his family, requested a welfare check from the police while he was abroad. This tragic incident has sent ripples through both the local community and beyond.
Polly James, Richard’s sister, is a familiar face for many. Known for her vibrant personality and distinctive neck tattoos, Polly has made a name for herself as a radio DJ on Radio X and a presenter for Sky Sports’ darts coverage. Often referred to as ‘the funkiest sports presenter on telly,’ Polly’s background in music adds to her unique on-screen presence.
His sister Polly is a veteran radio DJ who is currently working on Radio X and is also known for working on Sky Sports darts coverage.
She’s been dubbed ‘the funkiest sports presenter on telly’ courtesy of her distinctive neck tattoos and background in music.
Cardiff-born Polly, 38, has pictures of Richard and his late wife and children on her Facebook page.
In 2022, she documented her brother’s return to Wales with his family, writing: ‘When Wales meets America! Cousins reunited.’
Monika Rubacha (pictured middle right) killed her two children Josh James, 14, and Emma James, 11, while her husband Richard James (left) was away in South America on a business trip
It can now be revealed that Richard’s sister is Polly James (pictured right with her niece and nephew), a veteran DJ who is currently working on Radio X
Cardiff-born Polly, 38, has pictures of Richard and his late wife and children on her Facebook page (Here, Polly is pictured with Emma)
She also marked her late niece’s birthday with a sweet message.
Speaking outside her home in Lisvane, Cardiff, mum-of-two Ms James told the Daily Mail: ‘We are really going through it. We have nothing more to say.’
Polly and Richard’s father Peter James is a retired former Navy Officer who was awarded an MBE for his services.
He’s now the president of Euro-American Strategies, an international marketing company, and currently resides in the US.
The tragic deaths of his daughter-in-law and grandchildren has caused shockwaves across America.
Prior to their deaths, Rubacha painted a happy, loving picture of her family on social media, with one of her friends calling them ‘a picture-perfect family’ under a portrait of them posted to Facebook in 2018.
No one else was involved in the distressing murder-suicide that remains under investigation, police said.
Immediately after deputies entered the home, it was ‘pretty obvious’ that there were dead people inside, MCSO Public Information Officer Randy Warren told WFLA.
‘I can tell you that this is a violent scene,’ Warren continued.
Police said: ‘This is a horrible thing for the deputies to have to witness. Even worse, for the father and the husband who was on his way back from South America.
Polly and Richard’s father Peter James (left) is a retired former Navy Officer who was awarded an MBE for his services
Speaking outside her home in Lisvane, Cardiff, mum-of-two Ms James told the Daily Mail: ‘We are really going through it. We have nothing more to say’
‘He flew in this morning and had to be notified of what happened here. It’s an incredibly emotional day for him. It’s not a good scene at all.’
The family moved in from Missouri about three years ago and there was no history of police calls to the house.
Investigators said the mother ‘knew what she was doing’ and the evidence showed the murder-suicide was planned.
The Lake Club community, where the home is located, is filled with multimillion-dollar mansions – one of which singer Mick Jagger bought in 2020 and sold for $3.25million in 2023.
Polly has previously worked on Absolute Radio and Capital Radio during her career.
But it’s her association with the PDC World Darts Championships which has seen her profile rocket in recent years.
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