
Girlfriend and family 'shattered beyond words' by teen ice hockey star's death at Ibiza hotel
Gary Kelly died while on holiday at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio in the early hours of Monday morning after reportedly falling from the third floor.
The 19-year-old's team, Aberdeen Lynx, described him as one of their 'brightest young stars'.
His girlfriend Louise Essery said he had been 'inspiring'. Aberdeen Lynx Ice Hockey Team
'I never thought I would be sat here writing a goodbye,' she wrote in a post on Facebook.
'For those who knew Gary, oh you were so lucky. His passion and dedication was inspiring, whether in hockey, work, or with loved ones. I'm struggling to understand how you are no longer with me.
'It hasn't really hit me yet. Gary taught and showed me valuable lessons that I'll carry with me forever. I think it's important to remember the good times and to celebrate the love he brought into our lives.
'Everything feels heavy, and words can't express the love I have for Gary. I wish you could see how much you are loved. Even though our experiences together have paused, the memories we made will stay with me forever. I miss you so much already.
'Thank you for the kind messages about Gary; they mean a lot.
'I love you forever and always, Gary Kelly.'
The teenager's mum, Kharis Kelly, has also paid tribute to her 'handsome boy'.
She said: 'Our hearts are shattered beyond words.
'Our handsome boy has gone to the other side, Absloutely no words.
'We are asking everyone to respect our privacy as a family while we try to navigate through this tragic news. You'll forever be our boy Gary, Sleep tight.'
The 19-year-old died exactly two weeks after fellow Scot Evan Thomson.
The 26-year-old from Aberdeen also fell from a height at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel.
The hotel has suspended all events following the deaths 'out of respect for those involved' and says it will fully assist authorities.
In a statement following Gary's death on Monday morning, Ibiza Rocks Hotel said: 'We are deeply shocked and devastated by the recent incidents that have tragically occurred.
'Our priority is to support those affected and their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, and to fully assist the authorities with their investigations.
'The safety and well-being of our guests has, and always will remain, our highest priority.
'Given the seriousness of the situation and out of respect for those involved, we believe it is right to pause our advertised events programme at this time.
'All customers will be informed directly via email.'
A spokesperson for the Guardia Civil on the island added: 'For now, it appears to have been an accident. As always, an investigation is underway, and we're awaiting an autopsy to determine the cause of death with certainty.'
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