Mystery surrounds death of US banker whose body was found weeks after passport discovery
Family searched for weeks unaware his remains had already been recovered from the sea
The body of a missing American banker has been formally identified more than a month after it was recovered from the sea in Estepona.
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Grant Barr, 37, from New York, disappeared on Sunday January 28 while visiting the Costa del Sol town with friends and family. Days later, a pair of trousers and his passport were discovered abandoned near a local beach, prompting a lengthy and emotional search effort by his loved ones.
It has now emerged that a body was found washed ashore on Sunday March 3. However, the remains were not identified as Barr’s until early April, following DNA testing. The family say they were only notified of the discovery at the beginning of this month; weeks after their search had already ended in heartbreak.
Barr’s brother James said, on Saturday April 6, “We were notified late Friday that Grant’s remains were found washed ashore.”
He added that he didn’t yet know the exact location where his brother was found, but that authorities had needed DNA analysis to confirm his identity.
“My brother Luke, my mum and I flew there immediately. My dad was already there, as he had not left. After a week going back and forth between the courts and the coroner’s office, his remains were released on Friday and we were able to cremate him and finally bring him home.”
James also shared a message from his brother Luke: “Our brother passed on doing what he loved: facing the sea in its magnificent beauty and terrible might.”
Barr’s death has been recorded as a drowning, although the family are still awaiting full details.
He is survived by his parents, Soheila and Michael, and his two brothers. Barr had worked in the financial sector for leading companies including Citi, and had visited Estepona regularly over the years.
Spanish authorities, including the Guardia Civil and Policia Nacional, have not commented publicly on the case.
Image: Archive
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