Greg Monks, 38, fell dozens of metres into rocky ravine after leaving Albufeira party strip drunk in early hours
A British tourist likely fell to his death in the Algarve after becoming disoriented while drunk and wandering into dangerous terrain near luxury villas, Portuguese police have revealed.
The body of Greg Monks, 38, was discovered yesterday at the bottom of a steep ravine in Cerro da Aguia near the party resort of Albufeira – bringing a week-long search to a tragic end that has left his family “absolutely devastated.”
The Glaswegian plant mechanic vanished in the early hours of May 28 after telling his stag-do pals he was heading back to their holiday apartment following a night of heavy drinking on Albufeira’s notorious party strip.
But CCTV footage revealed the tragic tourist became completely lost, walking in the opposite direction from his accommodation and ending up in a residential area dotted with luxury villas some four miles away – where he met his fatal end.
Portuguese police believe the 38-year-old, who had only arrived in the country hours earlier, fell from a height of “several dozens of metres” after becoming disoriented in the unfamiliar, unlit terrain while under the influence of alcohol.
The tragic timeline of a holiday that ended in horror
TUESDAY, MAY 27
- 8:30pm: Greg arrives in Albufeira with 10-15 friends for five-day stag do
- Evening: Group heads out to celebrate on the famous Albufeira Strip
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28
- 2:00am: Greg tells friends he’s heading back to their apartment alone
- 3:27am: Last CCTV sighting shows him walking along Rua da Gralheira – in completely wrong direction
- 8:00pm: Friends report him missing to police after he fails to return
FOLLOWING DAYS
- Family fly out from Scotland to join desperate search
- Police deploy sniffer dogs and check hospitals
- £24,000 raised through GoFundMe to help search efforts
TUESDAY, JUNE 4
- Body discovered at bottom of ravine in Cerro de Aguia
- Police confirm identity as missing Scotsman
‘He got completely turned around’
The tragedy unfolded on what should have been a celebration – Greg was due to serve as groomsman at his friend’s upcoming wedding and had flown out with the stag party for five days of festivities.
CMTV, Portugal’s news channel, reported that police confirmed the tourist had taken an Uber to the area and was left at an unidentified nightlife establishment. He is believed to have been heavily under the influence of alcohol when he left to walk back alone.
Instead of heading east back to his Novochoro Apartments, CCTV captured him walking west along rural roads towards the residential area of Cerro de Aguia – a route that would have taken him further and further from safety.
The Polícia Judiciária stated there are no signs of criminal activity in Monks’ death. The leading theory is that he became disoriented while heading back to his apartment, falling in the steep, rugged Cerro de Águia ravine.
Portuguese media reported that investigators are trying to establish whether the man was already dead when he fell – reportedly from a height of several dozens of metres – or if he died from the impact.
Family’s heartbreak: ‘We didn’t think it would end like this’
Greg’s devastated sisters, Jillian and Carlyn, paid tribute to their brother on the Facebook page they had set up to coordinate search efforts.
“[We] didn’t think it would end like this. We are absolutely devastated. Greg was an amazing boy who everyone thought so highly of, was friends with everyone and always made us laugh. We will miss him every day.
His sister Jillian had earlier spoken of the family’s anguish during the search, saying: “We are really struggling. We are living in a nightmare, it’s sickening.”
She revealed that Greg was “a real family man” and “an amazing uncle to our kids,” adding: “I know that if he could phone us or reach out to us, he would, he wouldn’t put us through this.
The family had made desperate appeals for help, with Greg’s parents Lynne McGloin and Gordon Monks, along with girlfriend Nicole Ashleigh Kelso, flying out to Portugal to aid search efforts.
The search that gripped two nations
The week-long search operation saw an extraordinary mobilization of resources and community support spanning from Scotland to the Algarve.
Portuguese police with sniffer dogs combed the rocky scrubland after a homeowner responded to appeals to check security cameras. The family made desperate appeals for CCTV footage to trace his movements.
The family distributed posters in English and Portuguese throughout Albufeira, urging locals to check private CCTV and doorbell footage from between 2am and 5am on the night Greg vanished.
A Facebook group – “Missing Person Greg Monks – Albufeira, Portugal” – was set up to coordinate search efforts and quickly attracted thousands of members sharing information and support.
In an emotional plea during the search, the family had written: “Given the number of police personnel and resources currently in the region, it is clear that the resources available to the local GNR are insufficient to respond adequately to the complexity of this case.
They called for intervention from higher Portuguese authorities and increased involvement from the British government, highlighting the strain on local police resources.
Tributes pour in for ‘one of life’s good guys’
As news of the tragedy spread, heartfelt tributes flooded in for the popular mechanic from Cambuslang, near Glasgow.
Friend Alexander McHendrie wrote: “Rip Greg Monks defo one of life’s good guys such a shame. Heart goes out to the family and the boys also.
Former colleague Neil Mackenzie added: “Greg was a friend and ex workmate who I’d known for many years, he was great fun to be around and very popular with everyone who worked beside him, I am absolutely gutted by this terrible outcome.”
Friends launched a fundraising campaign to cover travel and funeral costs, as the family faces significant expenses. The GoFundMe appeal has now topped £24,000.
UK Minister Michael Shanks, Greg’s constituency MP, said: “Awful news from Portugal on the tragic death of my constituent Greg Monks. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. The FCDO and Embassy are continuing to offer whatever support they can to the family as they bring him home.”
A stark warning for holidaymakers
The tragedy has reignited concerns about tourist safety in the Algarve’s party resorts, where incidents involving intoxicated visitors in unfamiliar terrain are not uncommon.
The tragedy sparked discussions about tourist safety in party destinations, with calls for better signage and patrols in remote areas.
Albufeira’s famous Strip attracts millions of British tourists annually, drawn by its vibrant nightlife and beach culture. However, the area surrounding the main tourist zones can be poorly lit and treacherous, particularly for those unfamiliar with the terrain.
Local authorities promote safety campaigns warning tourists about nighttime walks in rugged areas, but Greg’s case highlights how easily tragedy can strike when visitors venture beyond well-lit tourist areas after drinking.
What happens next
After the appropriate judicial inspection, the body will be removed to the Forensic Medicine Office of the area in order to perform an autopsy”, Portuguese police confirmed.
The UK Foreign Office is supporting the family and coordinating with Portuguese authorities for repatriation to Scotland, which awaits completion of legal processes including the autopsy.
The British Embassy in Lisbon is ensuring transparency in the investigation, while the family has requested privacy during their time of grief.
For Greg’s friends on the stag do, what should have been five days of celebration before a wedding where he would serve as groomsman ended in unimaginable tragedy. They returned to Scotland without their friend, facing the heartbreaking task of explaining to the bride-to-be that her fiancé’s groomsman would never make it to their big day.
As one local observer noted, the narrow streets and steep terrain around Albufeira’s residential areas can be treacherous even in daylight – at night, for someone unfamiliar with the area and under the influence of alcohol, they can prove fatal.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a celebratory holiday can turn to horror, and the importance of staying together when navigating unfamiliar places after dark.
