More than 600 UK citizens go missing abroad every year. It’s a parent’s worst nightmare: to see pictures of your child plastered across social media.
This is followed by the dreaded feeling something terrible has happened to them, and the influx of conspiracy theories that naturally follow. But for many, this is their morbid reality – one that they’re still living decades later.
As Spanish police officially call off the near two-week manhunt for missing teen Jay Slater, we take a look at just a handful of Brits who never made it back from their holidays.
READ MORE: Jay Slater GoFundMe nears £50k as sick trolls comment as Madeleine McCann and Delia Smith
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Jay Slater
(Image: MEN Media)
Apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater mysteriously went missing on June 17 after attending the NRG Tenerife Weekender festival.
It is widely believed the 19-year-old, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, headed to an Airbnb in the remote area of Masca and had contacted a friend in the early hours of the morning to say he was lost, needed water, and that his phone was dying.
While a full-scale search including a mountain rescue team, drones and sniffer dog were unsuccessful in finding Slater, Spanish police have called off the manhunt. However, the Guardia Civil has confirmed the case is still open and that there are ‘several lines of investigation’. Slater’s family have vowed to continue their search and stay in the holiday hotspot until they find him.
Michael Mosley
(Image: instagram/@drclarebailey)
The Greek island of Symi was put under a spotlight last month after TV doctor Michael Mosley went missing after setting off for a walk from Agios Nikolaos beach and never returning. Local authorities conducted an extensive search for the health expert, including divers and helicopters scouring the coastal area.
The manager of a bar on Agia Marina Beach found Mosley’s body four days later. It is believed he took a wrong route back to the villa and collapsed due to the high temperatures.
Ben Garland
(Image: Facebook)
On January 21, 2020, Ben Garland hopped on his Harley Davidson to film waves near Portinatx, a coastal resort in the north of Ibizia. His family travelled out to the area to help police with their two-week manhunt, but hopes of finding the 24-year-old quickly faded as his jacket and watch were both discovered in the water.
Dad Mark Garland believes his son was swept out to sea, and has recently spoken about the ‘absolute torture’ he felt in light of Jay Slater’s disappearance. Speaking to Sky News, he said: “Jay’s parents will be feeling empty, they’re going to be tired. They will be confused, they will just be wanting answers. It’s such a traumatic experience.”
Anna Beaumont
(Image: PA)
A family trip to the US ended in complete tragedy for the family of Anna Beaumont, who was found unresponsive in the water at Discovery Cove – a popular theme park in Florida. The 13-year-old was rushed to hospital on May 28 but doctors could not save her. She died the next day.
A post-mortem examination of the body found that Anna died of drowning, followed by a seizure disorder. Area Coroner Patricia Morgan said more information needed to be obtained from Florida to continue with the inquest. She added: “I wish to express my condolences to the family of Anna Beaumont at this sad time.”
Anne Baillie
(Image: Facebook)
Anne Baillie disappeared last year after embarking on a morning walk. The 73-year old was last spotted at the Riu Palace Tres Islas Hotel in Fuerteventura where she had been holidaying with her family.
According to the Mirror, Fuerteventura Emergencias said in a statement on June 10: “The lifeless body of the English tourist last seen on June 7 has been located in the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park. Different emergency and security organisations had been involved in the search.”
A British expat based in Fuerteventura later wrote on Facebook: “Unfortunately Anne’s body was discovered last night on the dunes. Thank you to everyone who helped search and shared her son’s post.”
David Wolstenhulme
Yorkshireman David Wolstenhulme went missing on June 25, 2021, while holidaying in the Greek island of Serifos. After setting off on a solo hike, wife Heide began worrying after he didn’t return home after 5pm, like he said he would.
Despite a full-scale search, Wolstenhulme’s body was never found. Heide believes he could have fallen down a sinkhole, or suffered a heart attack on his walk.
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