U.S. tourist's body found after he was reported missing in Turks and Caicos

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The body of an American tourist missing for three weeks in Turks and Caicos has been found. 

Brian Tarrence, 51, was last seen on June 25 in the Grace Bay area on the island of Providenciales, after which a missing person report was officially filed, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) said in a post on Facebook.  

His remains were discovered on July 5, and police were able to confirm his identity after a forensic dental analysis on July 16.  

“An autopsy conducted on July 11 revealed no signs of trauma, and at this time, there is no suspicion of foul play,” police said. “The RT&CIPF continues to await the final autopsy and toxicology reports to complete the investigation.” 

Police said Tarrence’s body was found after a series of coordinated search operations.  

“The RT&CIPF extends our condolences to Mr. Tarrence’s family and friends during this difficult time. We thank the public for their patience and support as we continue the investigation,” police said. 

A private investigator hired by Tarrence’s family told News 12 Westchester that he was last seen on surveillance video leaving his Airbnb, where he and his wife were staying, at 3:30 a.m., and was spotted walking toward the downtown area of the popular tourist destination.

“Everything prior to the point where he walked out of that house, he seems fine. They had a boat trip and went to dinner, just like every other family would do when they’re here,” Carl DeFazio told the New York TV station. 

His wife was sleeping when he left the Airbnb, DeFazio said. 

Tarrence had recently moved to Manhattan from Monroe, N.Y., a town north of the city.  

According to a missing person’s poster shared by police on Facebook, he was last seen at the Paradise Inn at Grace Bay. 

Tarrence and his wife had arrived in Turks and Caicos on June 22, and planned to leave on June 29, Fox News reported. 

“They seemed to be having a normal couple days, and he ended up walking out of his condo, which is in a very safe place and in the middle of Grace Bay Road,” DeFazio told Fox News. 

“And we have him on camera, and he walks into town, and then he basically disappears, and we haven’t heard from him since.” 

A July 5 police press release shared on Facebook said an unidentified deceased male had been found in the Grace Bay area “in a state of decomposition.” 

DeFazio, who was part of the search party, told PEOPLE magazine that the body was badly decomposed and was found close to the Airbnb where Tarrence and his wife had been staying.