article_detail

The body of a 79-year-old British holidaymaker who vanished from his accommodation in Nerja has been found, bringing a sad end to a week of uncertainty and growing concern.

 

Iain Stanley disappeared on Tuesday February 11 while staying at the Perla Marina Hotel on the eastern side of the Costa del Sol. He was last seen at around 2pm after leaving the property without his mobile phone or passport. When he failed to return, his wife raised the alarm the following day, prompting an urgent search by the Guardia Civil.

 

Officers later said they were “very concerned” about his welfare and admitted they had little information to work with as days passed without any confirmed sightings. CCTV footage was reviewed and hospitals were checked, while physical searches were carried out across the Axarquía area. One investigator explained at the time, “It’s a disappearance that is giving officers great cause for concern. It’s been five days now since he went missing.”

 

A taxi driver who believed he had picked up a man matching Mr Stanley’s description in neighbouring Torrox was also interviewed, but that lead was eventually ruled out.

 

The search concluded on Wednesday when Mr Stanley’s body was located near Ladera del Mar and Tamango Hill, a steep and rugged area of ravines and pathways that separates Nerja from Torrox. Emergency services and forensic teams attended the scene. Authorities are now awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination, although there are no immediate indications of criminal involvement. Detectives believe he may have become disorientated while out walking.

 

Mr Stanley had been described by his family as being in good health, making his disappearance particularly baffling.

 

His disappearance had already prompted concern among the local and expat community earlier this week, with relatives appealing for information across social media.

 

The tragic discovery comes just weeks after another British holidaymaker was rescued in dramatic circumstances after falling into a ravine in Tenerife. In that case, 76-year-old Susan Hornsby was thankfully found alive and airlifted to hospital after nearly 30 hours missing.

 

Tributes have begun to appear online for Mr Stanley, with one message reading, “Terrible news. My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time. RIP Iain.”

 

 

Image: manolofranco/Pixabay