A New York man vacationing in Spain, who was reported missing in January after his passport and clothing were found near a beach, has died.
Grant Barr, an alternative funds lending specialist from New York City, was visiting the town of Estepona on the coast of Costa del Sol, when he vanished on Jan. 28, the Spanish Eye reported. His brother, James Barr, told the outlet that the family immediately began a frantic search.
Grant’s remains “washed ashore” on Monday, March 3, but his brother said the family wasn’t notified until early April, after Grant’s body was identified through DNA testing, according to the outlet. His family said his death was reported as a drowning, but they do not yet know all of the details.
“While the thoughts of a worst-case scenario came to mind from time to time, none of us actually thought this would ultimately be the outcome,” James told the outlet.
Grant’s employer, BNY, confirmed his death in a statement shared with PEOPLE.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague, Grant Barr,” the BNY spokesperson said in the statement. “On behalf of Grant’s coworkers and the entire BNY team, we wish to express our deepest sympathies to his family and will be supporting them at this incredibly difficult time.”
The U.S. Department of State and Spanish authorities, Guardia Civil and Policia Nacional, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
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The Costa del Sol region where Grant Barr was vacationing before he was reported missing.
Grant was first reported missing when his pants and his passport were found near a beach in the resort town, according to the Spanish Eye.
After Grant’s disappearance, his brother James posted a plea on Facebook for information about his brother’s whereabouts, thinking he may have left Spain for Germany, Amsterdam or Switzerland.
“My family is besides themselves,” he wrote on Thursday, February 13 after 16 days of searching.
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Before he learned about Grant’s death, James told the Spanish Eye that he and his family would “never give up” looking for their loved one. Following the devastating news, he shared a message from their brother Luke with the outlet.
“Our Brother passed on doing what he loved: facing the sea in its magnificent beauty and terrible might,” the brothers said in their statement.
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“Most Beloved Grant! we did not know that you were so many steps ahead of us!” they continued. “We will catch up to you soon, and be with you in paradise.”
Grant’s remains have been cremated and brought back to the U.S, according to the outlet. “He is survived by his mother, father and two older brothers.
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