Family fundraising for private detective after much-loved South Shields granddad died in tragic balcony fall in Spain

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Tony Holmes, from Whiteleas, was only 49 when he died after falling from the seventh floor balcony of the Marbella’s five-star Gran Melia Don Pepe hotel on July 11, 2020.

There were reports he landed on a a man passing by, who also died.

Tony’s family say police in Spain and the UK are still investigating his death but, desperate to find out the full circumstances as soon as they can, they are now looking into hiring a private detective in Spain to help them get the answers they need.

Much-loved granddad Tony Holmes tragically died in Spain in 2020.

In an effort to cover the £5,000 cost, Tony’s sister Claire Holmes organised to take part in a fundraising parachute jump with daughter, Shauna Holmes, 24, in Durham.

Claire, 46, said: “It is just a way of raising more funds so we can get more information.

"I have got to do something to push it as it has been nearly a year since his death.

"We want to know what happened to him.

Sister Claire Holmes is desperately seeking the answers to the questions surrounding Tony's death.

"It’s a horrible position to be in as you just feel useless and feel that you can’t do anything.”

The family believes that the coronavirus pandemic has held up the investigation and say that they don’t believe that Tony took his own life.

Claire, from South Shields, believes a detective may help the family get ‘justice’ for Tony by finding out how he died and said she won’t stop trying until the family get the closure they need.

Paying tribute to her brother, Claire said: “We were so close.

Tony Holmes tragically died after falling from a balcony in Spain last year.

"He loved his family and he loved his grandkids. He was a lush lad.”

Tony, a granddad of nine who had five siblings, was flown home following his death and his family were able to say goodbye with a ‘beautiful’ service held at South Shields Crematorium last summer.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has been contacted for comment.

To donate visit: https://gofund.me/6fecebcc

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