Greg Monks' family say they believe he 'got lost' in Portugal
Greg Monks was reported missing after leaving the main strip in Albufeira in the Algarve region during the early hours of May 28.
The 38-year-old had arrived in the resort town the day before for a stag do.
The last official sighting of Greg was at around 3.27am on May 28 as he walked past a property in Cerro de Aguia.
According to Google Maps, this area is around an hour and 20 minutes walk from the main strip.
Police launched a major search to trace Greg, but on June 4, officers confirmed the body of a man, a 38-year-old British citizen, had been discovered on vacant land in Cerro de Aguia.
Greg's mum, girlfriend, and cousin – who had flown out to join the search - will return to Scotland today (June 9) without him, with the repatriation process 'set to take days', the Daily Record reports.
Jillian Monks, Greg's sister, stated that the family 'will never truly know the full story' but that they believe he 'got lost'.
READ NEXT: £25k raised to bring Greg Monks home from Portugal
She said: 'We don't believe that anything untoward happened. Everything the police have told us adds up.
'We'll never truly know the full story. But we believe he just got lost and ended up at the wrong place at the wrong time.
'It brings us some comfort knowing that Greg had all his belongings on him. He wasn't robbed, he still had his phone and his wallet.
'He had all his cards and cash.'
We previously reported that a GoFundMe page was initially launched to support the search but had instead been updated to help the family bring Greg home and to plan his funeral.
It has so far raised £34,000.
Ms Monks highlighted that the family now 'has some sense of closure' as they plan to bring her beloved brother home this weekend.
READ NEXT: Family pay tribute to Cole Cooper as body found in search
She added: 'The generosity and support have been incredible. We're hoping to bring Greg home by the weekend. His mum, girlfriend, and cousin are going to fly home tonight.
'They wanted to fly back with him, but it has just not been possible. It has been the toughest time of our lives.
'We still can't believe this has happened, but we're glad we now have some sense of closure. I don't know if any of us could have coped with even another day searching for my brother.
'I think it just shows in places like Albufeira, everyone needs to stick together and look after each other.
'His pals are absolutely devastated at what happened. Before everyone left the hotel that night, Greg made sure they all had a business card and a map from the hotel to help them find their way home.
'That's the kind of person he was.'
Ms Monks further shared her family's anger over how they discovered Greg had died.
She commented: 'I knew Greg had been found before my mum and dad were told officially by police in Portugal.
'They were waiting in a police station to meet with officers when their phones went off with notifications to say Greg had been found.
'It is shocking that this was allowed to happen.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
38 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Cole Cooper's family certain that 'something happened' to teen as they demand answers
Cole Cooper's loved ones say he "would have never walked away from his life". The devastated family of Cole Cooper believe "something happened" to the teenager and have vowed to uncover the "truth" of his unexplained death. After five agonising weeks of searching, the 19-year-old's body was discovered in a wooded area near Kilsyth Road in Banknock, Falkirk, on Friday. But far from bringing closure, his discovery has raised even more questions. In a public statement on Monday night, his loved ones said the young man"would have never walked away from his life" and are determined to fight for answers. "As his family, we know who Cole was," his auntie Aimee Tennie posted on social media, "He was deeply loved and would never have walked away from his life. Something happened — and we will not rest until we know what that was. "While we now have him back, the circumstances of his disappearance and death remain unexplained. This case is far from over — and we are determined to uncover the full truth of what happened to Cole." In a direct appeal to both the public and the authorities, the family has called for a full and transparent investigation. The family wrote: 'We expect — and demand — a full, transparent investigation. We need action. We need answers. And we need accountability.' Cole, from Banknock, was last seen on May 7 on the A803 near Cumbernauld Road in Longcroft, when he asked a school friend for a lift, which he was not given. Prior to that, he was captured on alarming ring doorbell footage on the morning of Sunday, May 4, at around 6am in the Longcroft area. He was filmed trying to access his father's house unsuccessfully. He was reported missing on Friday, May 9. Police have said inquiries into the circumstances surrounding what happened are ongoing. More than 400 people were spoken to during door-to-door inquiries, while over 2,000 hours of CCTV were reviewed. Police previously treated the case as a missing person investigation rather than a criminal inquiry. They still haven't released a formal statement confirming the body found on Friday is Cole. 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. The demand for 'justice for Cole' comes just a day after relatives described that their "worst fears have become reality" when confirming the teen's death. In the new statement on Monday night, the family also made a pointed plea to anyone who may have information about Cole's case to come forward. It said: "To anyone who may have withheld information: this is your moment to come forward. We urge you to speak up now. We are aware of far more than we have made public, and if we do not see meaningful progress, we will begin to share what we know. "Our message is clear: we will fight for Cole. We will push for every piece of evidence to be examined, every lead to be followed, and every voice to be heard. We will not be silenced, and we will not be ignored." They also issued a strong message to investigators and officials: 'We are watching. The community is watching. The world is watching. Justice for Cole is not optional — it is a moral and legal obligation.'
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit teen jailed in Dubai over holiday fling begs for mercy
The teen has pinned his hopes of release on a pardon from Dubai's leader 'PLEASE FREE ME' 'PLEASE FREE ME' Brit teen jailed in Dubai over holiday fling begs for mercy A BRITISH teenager jailed in Dubai over a holiday fling has begged for mercy. Marcus Fakana, 19, has submitted a plea for clemency to the country's ruler. 2 Brit teen Marcus Fakana, 19, jailed in Dubai over a holiday romance, has begged the country's ruler for clemency Credit: PA 2 The Brit teen is being held at the harsh Al Awir prison Credit: AFP He was sentenced to a year in prison for having consensual sex with a 17-year-old British girl. Both Marcus and his young lover had met while on holiday with their families. Marcus, who was 18 at the time, has been held for months in the harsh Al Awir prison. He has now pinned his hopes on a pardon from Dubai's leader, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. READ MORE UK NEWS CASHING IN 9m pensioners will get Winter Fuel Payment after U-turn - will YOU get the cash? Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, which is supporting the teen's family, said: 'This has been the most traumatic and life-altering experience imaginable for Marcus. 'He is barely an adult himself and never intended to break any law. 'What happened was legal in the UK and consensual. 'But now he is facing permanent damage to his mental health and future prospects.' Prison conditions are reportedly taking a toll on Marcus, who is said to have only limited contact with his family. His parents, from Tottenham, North London, have made repeated appeals to Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP. I jetted off on ultimate lads' weekend…only to be arrested, tortured at 'Dubai Alcatraz' & threatened with death by firing squad They have also asked the British Embassy in Dubai to help secure his release. Ms Stirling added: 'Marcus has shown remorse and fully respects the laws of the UAE. 'He only hopes the government will show compassion and allow him to return home to rebuild his life. 'We implore Sheikh Mohammed to hear his pleas.'
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Woman horrified as 'date' sped away from police and crashed causing multi-car pile-up
Courtney Redfern was on a date with Mazyar Azarbonyad when he sped away from police at 120 mph and caused multi-car pile-up on a busy motorway. A 'first date ' caught up in a horrifying A1 crash that left seven officers in hospital has said she "wished it never happened", sources close to the case have said. Courtney Redfern, 26, from Gateshead, was on a first date with Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20 when he sped away from police after being stopped shortly before the crash. She was begging him to stop as Azarbonyad sped away from police at up to 120mph, with five police cars in pursuit. He continued to race along the motorway before slamming on the brakes 'in a matter of metres' before a police vehicle went into the back of the BMW 5 Series, Newcastle Crown court heard. It was revealed Azarbonyad had never passed his driving test and only had three lessons before he purchased the powerful 4x4 on finance. It is understood Courtney didn't know about his driving record and the pair never met again after that night, reports the Mirror. A source, who requested to remain anonymous said: "She wishes it had never happened. "She was caught up in this through no fault of her own." Courtney met Azarbonyad the day before the date and he 'panicked' when she told him that she had drugs on her. 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. Azarbonyad was sentenced to 14 months in a youth detention centre. Judge Tim Gittins told him previously: "It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was seriously injured and there were not multiple fatalities. Your dangerous driving was prolonged, persistent and deliberate. It is difficult to imagine a worse case of dangerous driving without serious injury or death being caused.' The smash caused 'regional traffic chaos' which would have cost 'tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage'. It is thought that the damage the vehicles alone was at least £250,000. Judge Gittins added: "You should not have been anywhere near the driving seat of any vehicle let alone a BMW X5, a large and powerful SUV. 'As other police vehicles joined the pursuit your speed continued to rise by a hair raising amount close to 120mph. Your passenger pleaded with you to slow down believing you were going to kill someone. Just as dangerous as your high speeds was your action to break rapidly coming to a sudden stop causing a catastrophic collision. The judge added that the car could not be reclaimed as he had no insurance. He was banned from driving for three years and seven months after he admitted having eight points on his licence for driving uninsured in 2023. Azarbonyad said 'Nah!" to Courtney as he made off from the police, the court heard. Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, told how he had failed to stop twice for police prior to the crash. "At about 1.50am on April 9, PC Wilson saw the BMW X5 of the defendant travelling at speed in Swalwell, Gateshead," he said. "The defendant was required to stop but made off towards Swalwell Bank. He was then spotted again at 2.15am in the area and PC Wilson pulled over to allow traffic units trained in pursuit to take over. "The defendant drove off again at speed and was travelling in excess of 100mph on the A1. He reached speeds of 120mph and then attempted to give way to the police. "Courtney Redfern had met the defendant for the first time that evening and he told her that he drove off due to a defective light. She told him that she had a small amount of drugs." She accepted a police caution for possession of cannabis for personal use. Azarbonyad told police that his driving had been 'sh**', Mr Perks added. He also drove without a licence and no insurance on four occasions after being granted bail at his first appearance before magistrates in April. Penny Hall, mitigating, stated that he had fled Iran when he was just 14 years and had been without any parental guidance since he was taken into care in the UK. He left when he was 18. Azarbonyad had left Iran with his uncle, but the pair lost each other en route and he had been alone ever since. She went on: "He was not seen at all by anyone once he left the care system at 18 in this country, apart from the occasional letter and phone call, it ended there. "He had no direction provided from there and no support, no guidance. He has shown a good work ethic and worked as a personal trainer but lost his job as a result of these offences when police turned up to arrest him. "He is terrified of the prospect of going to prison." He had 'panicked' when his passenger told him that she had some drugs with her and that had resulted in him leaving the scene at speed, she added. Speaking after the case, Supt Billy Mulligan, of Northumbria Police, said: 'It is sheer luck that Mazyar Azarbonyad did not kill anyone with his reckless actions. "What should have been a simple stop turned into him driving incredibly dangerously in a bid to get away from officers. He showed absolutely zero regard for the safety of anyone else. 'I would like to recognise the bravery of the officers involved. While three officers returned to duty, four remain off work. They were simply doing their job, protecting the public from the actions of someone who was not qualified or insured to drive." The judge stressed Ms Redfern had no idea of Azarbonyad's driving record. It is understood that they did not see each other again. When asked by the Mirror, Azarbonyad smiled when asked about if he saw her again.
