Family 'heartbroken' after body of missing Brit tourist found in Prague river

06 May 2024 , 14:48

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Joop Sparkes was reported missing by his worried family while he was on holiday in Prague (Image: Facebook)

A body found in a river in Prague has been confirmed as the remains of missing British tourist Joop Sparkes.

Joop's family have now confirmed the tragic news, bringing an end to a week-long search in which they employed private investigators to desperately track the 29-year-old down in the Czech city.

Joop, a construction worker from Galashiels, vanished after jumping from a party boat into the Vltava River between 1am and 2am on Sunday, April 27. He is though to have been enjoying a night out with pals when he jumped into the water to swim. After failing to resurface, he was reported missing.

Joop with his girlfriend Charlie Maben (Daily Record)

Czech police found a body in the water close to the last place he was seen on Sunday, May 5. The body has now been formally identified as the missing tourist.

Jodie Wilson, Joop's heartbroken sister, said: "The body recovered from the water last night has been confirmed as Joop. We are all absolutely heartbroken and this wasn’t the outcome we had hoped for but like we promised we are bringing our boy home. We love you to the moon and back Joopster and you have left the biggest hole in our hearts ever. Rest easy baby bro."

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Czech police searching the river (Daily Record)

His tearful girlfriend Charley vowed to "never forget" him in a heartbreaking tribute. She said: "The best 6 and a half years of my life! I know we had a rocky path but we eventually got there in the end.

"We always came back to each other because we couldn’t cope without one another. We had our whole life planned ahead of us. I will cherish our memories forever. You’ve walked that extra mile Joop. I love and miss you so much!! I will never ever forget you. My boy."

Joop was celebrating on a party boat with pals when he jumped into the water (UGC)

Jodie, their aunt Gillian and Joop's girlfriend Charley Maben had flown out to Prague to join the search efforts shortly after his disappearance.

Last week Joop's family reached out to private investigators to aid the search after scouring the streets of Prague for almost one week.

An FCDO spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Czech Republic and are in contact with the local authorities."

Gemma Ryder