The remains of missing US banker Grant Barr have been found more than two months after he vanished, the Spanish Eye can confirm.
Grant, 37, was staying with friends and relatives in Estepona on the Costa del Sol when he disappeared on January 28.
A pair of his trousers and his passport were mysteriously located near to a beach in the resort, and a months-long search by his family began.
It has now emerged that his body washed ashore on March 3, although he was not identified until a few days ago.
It means Grant’s family spent weeks searching for him when his body had already been collected by the authorities.
Just eight days ago, Grant’s brother James Barr told this newspaper how he would ‘never give up’ looking for him.
He told the Spanish Eye tonight: ‘We were notified late Friday that Grant’s remains were found washed ashore.’
James said he does not know exactly where Grant was found yet, as he is waiting to read the full report. He said police told him they had to use DNA to make the identification.
He added: ‘My brother Luke, my mom and I flew there immediately. My dad was already there as he had not left.
‘After a week and back and forth between the courts and the coroner’s office, his remains were released on Friday and we were able to cremate him and finally bring him home.
‘While the thoughts of a worst case scenario came to mind form time to time, none of us actually thought this would ultimately be the outcome.’
Grant is survived by his mother Soheila, his Father Michael, and his two older brothers James and Luke.
James shared a message from his brother Luke, which read: ‘Our Brother passed on doing what he loved: facing the sea in its magnificent beauty and terrible might.
‘Most Beloved Grant! we did not know that you were so many steps ahead of us! We will catch up to you soon, and be with you in paradise.’
The family were told Grant’s remains were actually found on March 3, just days after he went missing.
James said: ‘It means the last time we were all there searching for two weeks he was already found, however they didn’t even suggest that there was something they were looking into.’
James said all the family know at the moment is that the death was reported as drowning.
Grant worked in the finance sector in New York and regularly visited Estepona to see family.
According to his LinkedIn page, he had worked at major corporations, including Citi.
The Spanish Eye has contacted the Guardia Civil and Policia Nacional for comment.
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