Hundreds gather to release balloons in tribute to Greg Monks after tragic Portugal stag do death
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HUNDREDS gathered to release balloons in memory of tragic Greg Monks who died after vanishing on a stag do in Portugal.
The plant mechanic's loved ones set off smoke bombs and sent blue hearts and stars into the sky alongside a giant '38' tribute to mark the age he passed.
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Greg went missing after getting separated from his pals on a stag do in Albufeira, Portugal
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Hundreds gathered to pay tribute to Greg Monks, 38
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Friends and family let off blue smoke bombs and balloons
Greg disappeared hours into a lads' trip to Algarve party spot Albufeira sparking a massive week-long search.
His body was recovered from a ravine after he fell when becoming separated from his group.
Greg's sister Jillian Monks revealed support from neighbours and Portuguese supporters has helped her family deal with the devastating loss.
She told the Daily Record: 'Coping has been a struggle with it being so sudden and tragic.
'It has been incredibly difficult for us all but seeing how nice everyone has been has brought us a wee bit of comfort.
'In the first week or so, we were all so numb.
'It was all such a blur because of how hard it was to believe what had happened.
'As time goes on we are realising how real it is and it gets harder every day.
'It is so special to see so many people come out tonight to celebrate Greg.
'All of the messages and support that we have had has made this difficult time slightly easier and nicer.
Body of missing Scot Greg Monks found at bottom of ravine a week after he vanished on stag do in Portugal
'We have had people using their holidays to head over to Portugal to join the search, alongside all of the donations and lovely messages from close friends and complete strangers.
'It has been amazing.
'I am so thankful for all of the people who came out to celebrate Greg and who he was.
"He meant so much to so many.'
Greg, from Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, disappeared hours after he arrived at the coastal town for a five-day stag do to celebrate a pal's upcoming wedding.
He got separated from his friends on the main strip — which is known for rowdy groups of holidaymakers — and got lost in plush residential neighbourhoold Cerro de Aguia three miles away.
Portuguese police deployed sniffer dogs to search the scrubland but were unable to find him until vital CCTV footage emerged.
Greg's sister had urged residents to check home cameras and doorbell footage between 2am and 5am after it emerged the last sighting of him had been in the hills dotted with luxury villas.
Images from one home showed Greg vaulting a wall into a the grounds of a house before climbing another blocking off a steep drop.
His girlfriend Nicole Kelso and parents were among those who flew over when the search got underway, with supporters raising more than £34,000 to help bring him home.
An insider with the Algarve police said: 'The investigation into exactly how he died is ongoing.'
Greg will be laid to rest in a private service planned for later this week.
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Hundreds gather to release balloons in tribute to Greg Monks after tragic Portugal stag do death
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HUNDREDS gathered to release balloons in memory of tragic Greg Monks who died after vanishing on a stag do in Portugal. The plant mechanic's loved ones set off smoke bombs and sent blue hearts and stars into the sky alongside a giant '38' tribute to mark the age he passed. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Greg went missing after getting separated from his pals on a stag do in Albufeira, Portugal 3 Hundreds gathered to pay tribute to Greg Monks, 38 3 Friends and family let off blue smoke bombs and balloons Greg disappeared hours into a lads' trip to Algarve party spot Albufeira sparking a massive week-long search. His body was recovered from a ravine after he fell when becoming separated from his group. Greg's sister Jillian Monks revealed support from neighbours and Portuguese supporters has helped her family deal with the devastating loss. She told the Daily Record: 'Coping has been a struggle with it being so sudden and tragic. 'It has been incredibly difficult for us all but seeing how nice everyone has been has brought us a wee bit of comfort. 'In the first week or so, we were all so numb. 'It was all such a blur because of how hard it was to believe what had happened. 'As time goes on we are realising how real it is and it gets harder every day. 'It is so special to see so many people come out tonight to celebrate Greg. 'All of the messages and support that we have had has made this difficult time slightly easier and nicer. Body of missing Scot Greg Monks found at bottom of ravine a week after he vanished on stag do in Portugal 'We have had people using their holidays to head over to Portugal to join the search, alongside all of the donations and lovely messages from close friends and complete strangers. 'It has been amazing. 'I am so thankful for all of the people who came out to celebrate Greg and who he was. "He meant so much to so many.' Greg, from Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, disappeared hours after he arrived at the coastal town for a five-day stag do to celebrate a pal's upcoming wedding. He got separated from his friends on the main strip — which is known for rowdy groups of holidaymakers — and got lost in plush residential neighbourhoold Cerro de Aguia three miles away. Portuguese police deployed sniffer dogs to search the scrubland but were unable to find him until vital CCTV footage emerged. Greg's sister had urged residents to check home cameras and doorbell footage between 2am and 5am after it emerged the last sighting of him had been in the hills dotted with luxury villas. Images from one home showed Greg vaulting a wall into a the grounds of a house before climbing another blocking off a steep drop. His girlfriend Nicole Kelso and parents were among those who flew over when the search got underway, with supporters raising more than £34,000 to help bring him home. An insider with the Algarve police said: 'The investigation into exactly how he died is ongoing.' Greg will be laid to rest in a private service planned for later this week.
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The attack was captured on prison officer bodycam footage, with Light allegedly telling staff at the scene: "He is dead." Mr Smith said Light later told staff he "hoped" Whiting was dead. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Wearing a grey sweatshirt and glasses, Whiting described how he was blindsided in his cell after returning from evening association. Taking the stand, he said: 'I heard the door open to the cell, I did not know him and had never spoken to him. He asked if I was Whiting and I said yes and he had a shank, a wooden shank in his hand. 'He did not say anything and he started swinging at me with the shank in his hands... He was aiming for my head and face first off. It was quite forceful blows… I blocked some with my arms.' He went on: 'I fell backwards onto my bed against the wall… He was on top of me still trying to stab me… A couple of times I got hold of his hand and it eased up a bit.' Whiting said he tried desperately to shield himself from the flurry of blows: 'At least a dozen blows connected with arms, side of my face, they were everywhere… I was able to get up off the bed… I made a lunge for the door.' As he struggled to escape, Whiting said he was hit again: 'He hit me in the back, ribs, arms and he caught me on left ear and there was a lot of blood… I just dropped and rolled under bed quickly because I was exhausted.' He recalled prison officers shouting at the attacker: 'There were four or five of them all shouting - they told him to drop the knife a couple of times. He still had the shank in his hand, that is why I went under the bed.' Photos of Whiting's injuries were shown in court, including scratches to his face and stomach, and a significant injury to his ear. 'I knew I had been cut badly but didn't know exactly where,' he said. Under cross-examination by defence KC John Elvidge, Whiting confirmed he didn't need hospital treatment or stitches—just medical glue from prison healthcare staff. He demonstrated how the weapon had been used in a downward stabbing motion. Jurors were told there were no injuries sustained once Whiting was under the bed. 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