Tributes are pouring in after 70-year-old British pensioner Gary Ferns, who vanished in Tenerife four months ago, was sadly confirmed dead. Originally from Manchester but living in Tenerife, Gary had been missing since being discharged from El Mojon Hospital. His disappearance sparked a frantic search by friends and family, with last sightings reported near Playa Las Vistas in Los Cristianos.
His sister, Elaine Schmidt-Ferns, shared the heartbreaking update on Facebook, revealing a body found in a hospital in Santa Cruz had now been confirmed as Gary. The hospital was not the one he had been discharged from, adding to the confusion over his whereabouts. The delay in identifying him came down to the fact that Gary had no ID on him, and DNA testing had to be used to confirm who he was, reported the Mirror.
Elaine wrote: “It is with deep sorrow and sadness that I announce the passing of my brother Gary. It has been four months since he went missing and in February I flew to Tenerife and gave a DNA sample… I had the confirmation only this morning that the DNA was a match.”
She explained the family had held back from sharing updates because nothing was certain until now. “We will know in the next few days more… we will then know when he died and we will get the death certificate and then know what he died of.”
Elaine ended her post simply, “R.I.P Bro I will miss you,” prompting an outpouring of support from friends and family online.
Messages quickly followed. “May he rest in peace and may your hearts be comforted,” wrote Susan Rice. “Thinking of you auntie Elaine,” added Michael Fearns, “R.I.P uncle Gary, love you.”
British friend Zoe Cann posted: “Rip Gary, he was such a lovely man, he will be missed.” Elaine Mary echoed the sentiment: “R.I.P Gary, very sad to hear… his family and friends will at least now have closure.”
Despite Elaine’s explanation, some expressed frustration about why it had taken so long for the DNA results to be returned. Others questioned how someone could go unidentified in a hospital for so long.
When Gary first went missing, friends said he had mobility issues, including a broken hip, and used a walking frame. He was well known in the local expat community, especially at Noah’s Ark bar in Puerto Colon.
There had even been reports of someone matching Gary’s description seen sleeping rough near an Aldi car park in the days before he was reported missing, adding to the confusion and heartache surrounding his disappearance.
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