Shropshire Star

Harry Greaves: Family's hope is crushed as Shropshire backpacker's body found in Peru

There had been unconfirmed sightings and the discovery of a tent – but tragically there would be no happy ending in the search for missing backpacker Harry Greaves.

Published

His family had been trying to stay as positive as they could as the search continued.

His sister Ellen Greaves said yesterday was a "crucial day" in the search, following the news on Monday night that a local herder had spotted a yellow tent and an earlier report of a sighting of Harry himself.

The sighting of the tent had raised hopes – but turned out to be a false trail.

Instead, a short statement from the family confirmed the worst case scenario.

The tragic news that his body had been found came late last night. The circumstances of the find were unclear, but the family had employed specialist guides on the ground to search areas where he was likely to have headed.

His family described him as "one of the most loveliest men you could ever wish to meet" and said he was an "extremely genuine and caring person".

"Our dearest Harry has been found," they said in a statement."

They spoke of their "great sadness" and paid tribute to a man they said "gave light" and was full of words of wisdom.

Ellen had spoken yesterday of her increasing concerns as hopes of positive clues ended up proving to be unfounded.

Speaking yesterday before the discovery of Harry's body, she said: "After the elation of news of the sighting of the tent and thinking we would be finding Harry, we are now very worried again.

"It seems the sighting was nearly two weeks ago and we have to face the fact that Harry, if he tried to retrace his steps to get back in time, might well be hurt or injured.

"Or that if he decided to reach further peaks and lakes recommended he is now lost."

Harry, originally from Bronygarth near Oswestry, was visiting friends in the South American country and planned a lone mountainside expedition on April 7.

The 29-year-old, who lived in Wrexham, had not been in contact since – which his family said was "out of character".

A Go Fund Me page set up to help pay for the search raised more than £33,000.

Harry's mother Sarah and cousin Lucy, who is a Spanish speaker, flew out on Sunday in the hope of finding him.

Ellen paid tribute to the incredible generosity of friends and total strangers who put money into the fund for the search.

She said his friends who were with him in Peru had been a great support too, adding: "His friends are an amazing group."

She said they had split into three groups to cover the most likely areas he could have been found, going on feedback from sightings.

Helicopters had been used to search the mountains of Peru as part of an operation organised by his family. Professional guides were also been taken on to search on the ground.

It is believed one of those local guides found Harry's body yesterday.

Harry's former secondary school St Martins School – formerly Rhyn Park – was today due to hold a non-uniform day in aid of the appeal to find Harry.

On Monday Harry's family spoke of the frustration they felt over the operation to search for him in the mountains of Peru.

They said they felt "anxious" over the received "mixed messages" from the British Embassy.

Since then the family had been in touch with the British ambassador to Peru and they were assured that extra publicity would be given in the Peruvian media in order to spread the word about the search.

Police in Peru were investigating reports that Harry was last seen getting into a taxi and Harry's father Simon Greaves said the taxi driver was being sought as a possible witness.

A missing person listing was placed on the Lucie Blackman Trust website, which helps Brits in trouble abroad.

Harry made furniture in the Oswestry area for his own company Marcher Furniture and also Wrexham company Silverlining Furniture.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.