Family of Scot missing in Portugal have never 'known pain like it' during frantic search
EXCLUSIVE: Greg Monks' family have opened up about their fears over their missing loved one.
The family of a missing Glasgow man who vanished whilst on a stag do in Portugal say they have neve "known pain like it," as they continue their frantic search for him.
Greg Monks, from Cambuslang, vanished hours after arriving with his mates in Albufeira in the sunshine destination of the Algarve on Tuesday evening. Greg, who is the groomsmen for his pal, sparked a major search when he disappeared after leaving the popular bustling strip to head back to the group's apartments.
However no one has seen or heard from the 38-year-old since with his family, including his worried parents, currently out in Albufeira desperately seeking answers to his whereabouts.
Portuguese search cops have told relatives he was last sighted on CCTV around four miles from his apartment and the strip in a quieter residential area of Cerro de Águia.
Loved ones are now trying to piece together Greg's last movements as they step up the hunt to find him.
Sister Jillian Monks says the exhausted search-party, including Greg's mum, dad, cousin and girlfriend Nicole, are numb as they scour the Algarve.
Jillian, 36, who has had to remain in Glasgow with her two young children says she is doing everything she can to share appeals and reach out to locals on social media.
Speaking with the Record, she said: "This is every family's worst nightmare.
"We have never known pain like this.
"It is just horrendous. We are all trying to keep positive but we know how out of character this is for Greg. We know if he could contact us he would.
"We're all just numb and we're praying he's safe. We are all worried sick for him."
Jillian has told how the stag party quickly got changed after checking into the Novochoro Apartments before heading back out. But there are no fresh images of Greg from the night he vanished.
The group of lads were understood to be in King's Cross karaoke bar in Albufeira's nightlife hub before Greg became separated from the group.
Jillian added: "We don't have any pictures of what Greg was wearing but we think he might have got changed from what he had travelling to Portugal.
"We're trying to piece everything together.
"His girlfriend, Nicole, is over in Albufeira, she checked through his case to see what was missing. We think he might have had a navy blue Nike shorts and top set on.
"She's absolutely devastated right now, she just wants him back."
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Jillian says gutted mates were left "devastated and shocked" when they realised that Greg hadn't returned to the apartments.
They immediately contacted police after he was missing for 12 hours.
She said: "The group had only been there for a matter of hours. They checked in and were only in the apartment for 20 minutes before heading out again.
"They are all devastated and shocked by what has happened. They spent the rest of the time there searching for him and trying to help.
"They have all returned home today, Greg should be back home with them."
Jillian says the family are in constant contact with local police who have altered the national police force in Portugal.
But she says the family have yet to see proof that Greg was spotted in Cerro de Águia and are asking police to show them the CCTV clips that has caused the search to focus on the hilly area.
Jillian added: "Police have had drones out and search teams going over Cerro de Águia.
"But it is really rocky terrain it's very quiet and residential. We don't know why he has went there or how he has ended up there.
"Until we see proof we don't know what to believe."
As part of the families search they are asking residents of Cerro de Águia to check any private CCTV or ring doorbell footage.
"We just hope somebody will have seen him," Jillian added. "Any information or help from locals is crucial."
A fundraiser has raised almost £15,000 to help keep the search for Greg going.
You can donate to the fundraiser here.
The Record has contacted The GNR police force and Polícia Judiciária for comment.
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