Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Missing British pensioner’s body found on rubbish tip in Spain three weeks after disappearing

Police probing how Denis Walker, 82, died as daughter reveals he suffered with dementia but ‘never wanders off’

Chiara Giordano
Wednesday 13 April 2022 12:54 BST
Comments
Missing British man Denis Walker, 82, has been found dead at a rubbish tip in Spain three weeks after disappearing
Missing British man Denis Walker, 82, has been found dead at a rubbish tip in Spain three weeks after disappearing (Joanne Walker)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A British pensioner has been found dead at a rubbish tip in Spain three weeks after he went missing.

Denis Walker, 82, disappeared from La Parilla Hotel in Albox, on the edge of the southeastern province of Almeria, on 25 March.

His daughter Joanne Walker launched an online appeal after he was officially made a missing person and dozens of expats joined the search for the popular Brit.

But Spanish police confirmed his body had been found at a dump near the town of Arboleas, about six miles from where he went missing, on Monday.

Investigators are now probing Mr Walker’s cause of death and how he came to be at the tip.

His daughter previously revealed he suffered with dementia – but said it was out of character for him to wander off.

She wrote on Facebook exactly a week after his disappearance: “My father Denis Walker has been missing from La Parilla Hotel in Albox for the past week.

“He suffers with dementia. He never wanders off and is usually quite happy to sit in the bar or outside watching the day go by.

“Please let me know if you have seen him. He is officially a missing person with the police.”

In an update on Monday, she said: “Thank you so much for your love and help trying to find my father. Unfortunately Denis was found today. RIP Dad.”

A spokeperson for the Spanish Civil Guard confirmed the body found in Arboleas was that of Denis Walker.

However they declined to give any futher details about the circumstances surrounding his death as the investigation continues.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in