Police lose dead man’s leg bone

The family of a man who died after vanishing while on holiday in Benidorm have accused local police of incompetence after they lost part of his leg.

Phil Pearce, 68, from Bridgwater in Somerset, went missing on 10 September 2019. His family issued numerous appeals on social media and flew out in a bid to try and find him.

Spanish police found his body on 23 November but did not inform his sons until 7 February, citing difficulties in identifying him.

According to Phil’s sons, Lee and Wayne Pearce, local authorities told them the delays were caused by DNA that needed to be checked and conflicting information regarding a missing femur bone.

They described the situation as a “living nightmare” and said the investigation process was a “shambles”. Police have not responded to their accusations.

Lee told the BBC: “He should be home, laid to rest. He went over in one piece, he should come back in one piece. He should be laid to rest in one piece with all this bones in there.”

Wayne added the family “could not believe” it took over three months to tell them Phil’s body had been found and said: “It seems they don’t have a clue what they are doing over there.”

On Facebook, Lee wrote earlier this week: "We all love you dad and we will get you home soon dad and won't stop until you are back home and laid to rest... you have gone through enough.

"We can't believe this has even happened... we all miss you like mad dad."

Phil, who had mild dementia, was last seen at a police station where a member of the public took him because he was in a confused state. He left the building and vanished.

Ian Liddell-Grainger, Conservative MP for Bridgwater, said he has raised the case with foreign secretary Dominic Raab.

“Everything has been, dare I say it, either slow or it’s been pretty shabbily handled by the Spanish authorities at every level,” he said.

“There are huge questions that we need to ask and have answered.”

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said it is working with the Spanish authorities to bring Phil's body home.

Avon and Somerset Police said a family liaison officer has been provided to the family to support them through "this very difficult period".

A spokesperson added: "Once the body is repatriated to Somerset the coroner will decide whether a post-mortem will take place. Following results of that a decision will be made on whether an inquest is required."