NEED TO KNOW
- A body has been discovered amid the search for missing New York City man Brian Tarrence, although police have not confirmed the identity of the deceased
- The 51-year-old arrived in Turks and Caicos with his wife on June 22 and was set to leave on June 29
- Tarrence was last seen on surveillance video leaving his rental property at the Paradise Inn in Grace Bay at around 3:30 a.m. local time on June 25
A body has been discovered amid the search for missing New York City man Brian Tarrence, who vanished last month while visiting Turks and Caicos with his wife.
According to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), officers, who were searching for Tarrence, 51, on Saturday, July 5, at around 9:06 a.m. near the country’s Grace Bay, “discovered the body of a deceased male in a state of decomposition.”
Officers have not yet officially identified the body, and the RTCIPF said it would provide further updates as soon as the identification process is completed and the next of kin is informed.
“The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force extends sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” Acting Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams said. “We urge members of the public to refrain from speculation and allow the investigative process to confirm the identity through official channels.”
News 12 Westchester and Fox News first reported that Tarrence was last seen on surveillance video leaving his rental property at the Paradise Inn in Grace Bay at around 3:30 a.m. local time on June 25.
According to News 12, Tarrence was seen walking toward the downtown area of the island. He had reportedly arrived on the island with his wife on June 22 and was set to leave one week later, on June 29.
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Speaking with PEOPLE, private investigator Carl DeFazio, who is working with the man’s family, said that Tarrence and his wife, Maria, arrived in Turks and Caicos on Saturday, June 21.
DeFazio also claimed their vacation started “like normal.” The couple was staying in the Grace Bay area, about 150 feet away from the local police station.
The surveillance footage that captured Tarrence on June 25 showed him with his phone in his hand and his wallet on his person as he walked down the street, DeFazio said.
His wallet has not been found, but no charges have been made to his card, according to DeFazio. There haven’t been any calls made on his phone, either.
DeFazio told News 12 that the incident was “bizarre.”
“Everything prior to the point where he walked out of that house, he seems fine,” DeFazio told the outlet. “They had a boat trip and went to dinner, just like every other family would do when they’re here.”
Of Tarrence leaving his hotel overnight, DeFazio said: “That’s a little bizarre in itself. … He’s in the middle of town. His wife was sleeping.”
The RTCIPF has urged anyone with information relating to the incident to contact police, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS) or the P3 mobile app.
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