Body Found Believed to Be Missing Scottish Stag Party Tourist

Albufeira, Portugal – June 4, 2025 – A week-long agonizing search for Greg Monks, a 38-year-old Scottish man who vanished during a stag party in the popular Portuguese resort town of Albufeira, has ended in heartbreak. Portuguese authorities confirmed today that a body has been discovered in a ravine in the Cerro de Aguia area, and it is believed to be that of Mr. Monks. The devastating news brings a grim conclusion to the hopes of his family and friends, who had flown to Portugal to aid in the increasingly desperate search efforts.
Greg Monks, from Cambuslang near Glasgow, had arrived in Albufeira on Tuesday, May 27, with a group of friends for a five-day stag celebration. The last confirmed sighting of Mr. Monks was in the early hours of Wednesday, May 28, around 3:27 AM. Reports indicate that he had told his friends he was heading back to his accommodation after a night out on the bustling Albufeira Strip, a well-known hub for British tourists. However, he never returned.
His disappearance was reported to the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) on May 28 at approximately 8 PM by a fellow holidaymaker. This immediate alarm was raised due to Mr. Monks' character – his family emphasized that it was highly uncharacteristic for him to disappear without contact. His sister, Jillian, shared with media outlets that the family was contacted that Wednesday afternoon when he hadn't returned, prompting immediate concern and a request to track his phone. "This immediately raised alarm bells. It's just not like him. He wouldn't normally do something like this," she stated.
Upon arrival in Albufeira, Mr. Monks' family, including his parents and girlfriend, joined the search efforts, working alongside Portuguese police and local volunteers. The search focused heavily on the Cerro de Aguia area, a challenging landscape characterized by "steep wasteland," "rough terrain," rocky outcrops, and cliffs. This area, located approximately 3.1 miles (5km) from the main Albufeira strip, is considerably removed from the lively party district where he was last seen with his friends. It was believed that Mr. Monks may have attempted to walk back to his accommodation through this difficult terrain.
The discovery of the body today by the Policia Judiciaria (PJ), Portugal's criminal investigation police, in collaboration with the Albufeira GNR, brings a somber resolution to the intense efforts. A police source indicated that the body was found at the bottom of a ravine, a significant distance from where he was last seen. The PJ released a statement confirming the location of "the body of the missing Scottish tourist in Albufeira." They added that the body was found on a "vacant and very uneven lot" after extensive inquiries and attempts to establish his presumed route. Firefighters were reportedly involved in the recovery of the body from the wooded area.
While formal identification is still pending, authorities are confident it is Greg Monks. A post-mortem examination will be carried out at the nearest Institute of Forensic Medicine to determine the exact cause of death. At this early stage, police sources have stated that there is nothing to indicate that Mr. Monks' death was linked to any criminal activity, suggesting the possibility of a tragic accident, perhaps a fall while navigating the treacherous terrain in the dark.
The case has drawn considerable attention in both Scotland and Portugal, with the family of Mr. Monks making fervent appeals for information and assistance from the public. They had set up a Facebook group, which quickly garnered over 10,000 members, demonstrating the widespread concern and desire to help locate him. The Foreign Office had also confirmed it was supporting the family of a British man reported missing in Portugal and was in contact with local authorities throughout the search.
The tragic incident serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers that can arise even in popular tourist destinations, especially when individuals venture into unfamiliar or challenging environments after dark. As the family now grapples with this devastating news, the focus will shift to understanding the full circumstances surrounding Greg Monks' final hours and bringing him home.
Source@BBC