Pictured: British tourist killed in chokehold at Gran Canaria nightclub – as ‘devastated’ friends praise ‘absolute gentleman’
The British tourist believed to have died in a chokehold at a nightclub in Gran Canaria has been identified as 47-year-old Scott Lacey.
Tributes have poured in for the “absolute gentleman” holidaymaker who died after he was allegedly attacked by a nightclub bouncer in the Canary Islands.
Scott Lacey’s shocked ‘partner and friends’ were partying with him when the bouncer, known as the ‘Lion Killer’, put him in a chokehold during a night out in the resort of Playa del Ingles.
Today, stunned friends and supporters gathered to support grief-stricken Charli Wilkins from Chichester, West Sussex, after she said she was ‘devastated’ in an emotional social media post.
She confirmed that 47-year-old Scott’s life had been tragically cut short: ‘It is with the greatest sadness that I have to announce that Scott has sadly passed away whilst on holiday in Gran Canaria.’
Scott Lacey was described in moving tributes as ‘amazing’ and an ‘absolute gentleman’
Friends of Scott said he was “a beautiful man inside and out” as Charli confirmed the sad news
“Understandably, this is still very intense and our families and I are trying to process this terrible news,” she continued.
“Funeral details will be announced as soon as possible. I know Scott wants as many people as possible to come and celebrate his life.”
Martin Atkinson, from Redditch, Worcestershire, reacted by saying: ‘God, I can’t believe this. He was a fantastic guy, one of the best.’
Emily Jupp, from Fareham, Hampshire, told Charli: ‘We are devastated.
My heart aches for you at this unimaginable time. I cannot understand the pain you are going through.
“Know that we are here for you, whatever you need. Scott was a great man, and his memory will live on in all of us who knew him.”
Friend Joey Edwards described Scott as an “absolute gentleman” and another said he was a “beautiful man, inside and out.”
Matt Holland added: ‘Scott was such a sweet, funny and kind man that he will be greatly missed by everyone he ever spent time with.’
Painter and decorator Lee Russon, from Redditch, Worcestershire, who successfully battled cancer this year, wrote in a separate Facebook post after learning of Scott’s passing: ‘Such sad news!
“He messaged me and donated to my page when I was sick. He was truly a good man. Rest in peace my friend Scott Lacey.”
The incident that led to Scott’s death took place at the Chic nightclub in Playa del Ingles in the early morning of July 27.
Police announced yesterday that a 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remanded in custody pending a judge’s investigation.
A spokesman for the National Police in San Bartolome de Tirajana, the force responsible for the Playa del Ingles area, said: ‘Officers have arrested a 32-year-old man with no criminal record on suspicion of having committed a murder offence.
‘In the early morning of July 27, we received an emergency call reporting that someone was lying lifeless on the ground near a nightlife venue in Playa del Ingles.
Several police units arrived at the scene, along with other emergency services.
‘When they arrived they confirmed the death of the man, an English tourist, and cordoned off the area.’
According to police, detectives spoke to witnesses, staff, friends and Scott’s partner.
They said at first it looked like he had had a heart attack.
However, marks were found on his neck and his body was taken to the island’s Institute of Forensic Medicine for further examination.
‘Several witnesses told police they saw one of the staff members apply a chokehold to the man known as a Mata Leao (Lion Killer) chokehold because the British man he was applying the chokehold to was very agitated.
‘When he could no longer move, he collapsed to the ground.
Friends remembered Scott’s kind acts and wrote that he was a “good man”
General view of Playa de Ingles in Gran Canaria where Scott and his friends were partying
Police reviewed CCTV footage which showed a nightclub employee grabbing the victim by the neck before he fell to the ground.
The forensic report confirmed that asphyxiation was the cause of death.
Because there was a risk that the suspect would flee, a search was started. When the suspect was found, he was immediately arrested.
‘He was then transferred to a local prison on the orders of an investigating judge.’
The arrest took place on July 29, although police only came forward with the case yesterday, after the suspect appeared in court in a closed session and was remanded in custody.
The nightclub doesn’t reopen until Saturday and no one was available today.