A British expat in Tenerife loved by many UK tourists has been found dead. Gary Ferns, 70, was last spotted near Playa Las Vistas in Los Cristianos before he vanished. Brit holidaymakers said he was a well-known local and would often speak to him. 

Gary - described by many as a 'gentleman' and a 'lovely' man - was taken to El Mojón Hospital by ambulance after falling ill, but after being admitted, he disappeared. Now, his sister Elaine Schmidt-Ferns has confirmed the tragic news of his passing, as reported by NeedToKnow.

Elaine revealed that she was flown to Tenerife on February 10 to provide a DNA sample for testing, which ultimately confirmed her brother's identity on Tuesday, April 15. The delay in identification was due to Gary not having any ID on him when he was taken to hospital.

Gary, originally from Manchester, was a well-known figure in the Playa Las Vistas area, where he had lived for several years. Elaine shared the devastating news, saying: "It is with deep sorrow and sadness that I announce the passing of my brother Gary.

"This has been a very bad time for all our family and of course Gary's dear friends in the UK and Tenerife. It has been four months since he went missing and in February I flew to Tenerife and gave a DNA sample for testing as a body had been found," reports Bristol Live.

"Not on the streets as was first thought but in the Hospital in Candelaria. Unfortunately Gary did not have any ID so that was why he was not located sooner.

"Having said that, I gave the DNA on the 10th of February and I had the confirmation only this morning that the DNA was a match. We will know in the next few days more as the paperwork will be given to us through our solicitor and we will then know when he died and we will get the death certificate and then know what he died of.

"R.I.P Bro I will miss you."

Hundreds of people had left comments on social media after his disappearance. It was clear from what people posted that he was well-known on the island.

One regular visitor said: "A lovely man - my husband and I always looked for him when over in Tenerife. Always liked to get him food and give him a few euros."

Others said he was a "lovely man" and a "nice gentleman". 

Another tourist said: "Met him while on holiday with my friend last year. We went to see him every day and bought him food and drink... really a nice man: never asked for anything."

Yet another said at the time: "Go to Tenerife twice a year with my Aunty and always give Gary food. So sad he is missing and no one knows where he is."

A third echoed these sentiments, saying: "Met Gary a few years back - got him few drinks and some food: was a nice guy."