A British expat has been confirmed dead after vanishing from Tenerife four months ago.
Gary Ferns, 70, was taken via ambulance to El Mojon hospital in December last year after feeling unwell.
He was discharged the following day but seemingly vanished, sparking a desperate search by his family and friends.
Gary was particularly vulnerable as he suffered mobility issues after breaking his hip, which forced him to use a walking frame to get around.
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After months of searching, his sister Elaine Schmidt-Ferns confirmed last night that his remains had been found.
She wrote: ‘It is with deep sorrow and sadness that I announce the passing of my Brother Gary. This has been a very bad time for all our family and of course Gary’s dear friends in the UK and Tenerife.
‘It has been four months since he went missing and in February I flew to Tenerife and gave a DNA sample for testing as a body had been found, not on the streets as was first thought but in the Hospital in Candelaria…
‘Unfortunately Gary did not have any ID so that was why he was not located sooner, having said that I gave the DNA on the 10th of February and I had the confirmation only this morning that the DNA was a match.
‘We will know in the next few days more as the paperwork will be given to us through our solicitor and we will then know when he died and we will get the death certificate and then know what he died of.
‘We were unable to tell anyone before because we just did not know for sure so that’s why there have been no posts recently. R.I.P Bro I will miss you.’
Local organisation Missing Persons Tenerife, who helped the family with their search, said: ‘It has today been confirmed that Gary died after being taken ill in December and his body could not be identified due to a lack of Identification.
‘DNA samples were taken in February to match to family members but the process has meant that only now, two months later, has a confirmation been made.
‘Gary had been living as a homeless person in the area of Las Vistas in Los Cristianos and was known to many locals and visitors.
‘I would like to extend thanks to all those who made efforts in the search for Gary.
‘More information will follow later once a Death Certificate is issued that will confirmed the date, location and cause of death.’
