The British tourist believed to have been murdered in a martial arts chokehold at a Gran Canaria nightclub has been identified as Scott Lacey, 47.
Tributes have poured in for the “genuine gentleman” tourist who died after allegedly being assaulted by a bouncer at a nightclub in the Canary Islands.
Scott Lacey’s devastated “partner and friends” are said to have been partying with him when the bouncer applied a chokehold known as “The Lion Killer” during a night out at the Playa del Ingles resort.
Stunned friends and supporters rallied around heartbroken Charli Wilkins, from Chichester, West Sussex, today after she said she was “devastated” in an emotional social media post.
Confirming that 47-year-old Scott’s life had been tragically cut short, he said: “It is with the greatest of regrets that I have to share that whilst on holiday in Gran Canaria, Scott has sadly passed away.”
Scott Lacey was described as “wonderful” and an “absolute gentleman” in touching tributes.
Scott’s friends said he was a “beautiful man inside and out” as Charli confirmed the sad news.
“Understandably, this is still very much on my mind and both myself and our families are trying to process this devastating news,” she continued.
‘Details about the funeral will be shared as soon as we can and I know Scott would want as many people as possible to celebrate his life.’
Martin Atkinson, from Redditch, Worcestershire, reacted by saying: “God, I can’t believe it. He was a fantastic guy, one of the best.”
Emily Jupp, from Fareham, Hampshire, told Charli: “We are completely devastated.
‘My heart aches for you at this unimaginable time. I can’t even begin to comprehend the pain you are going through.
‘Please know that we are here for you, whatever you need. Scott was a wonderful man and his memory will live on in all of us who knew him.’
His 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 lovely, funny and personable guy and will be greatly missed by everyone who ever spent time with him.”
Painter and decorator Lee Russon, from Redditch, Worcestershire, who has successfully battled cancer this year, said in a separate Facebook post after hearing of Scott’s death: “Such sad news!
“He sent me messages 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 resulted in Scott’s death occurred at a nightclub called Chic in Playa del Inglés in the early hours of July 24.
Police revealed yesterday that a 32-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder and remanded in custody pending an ongoing investigation by a judge.
A spokesman for the National Police in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, the force that covers the Playa del Inglés area, said: ‘Officers have arrested a 32-year-old man, with no previous criminal record, as the alleged perpetrator of a crime of homicide.
‘In the early hours of July 24, an emergency call was received reporting that a person was lying lifeless on the ground near a nightclub in Playa del Inglés.
Several police units responded along with other emergency services.
“Once there, they confirmed the death of the man, an English tourist, and cordoned off the area.”
Police said investigators spoke to witnesses, staff, friends and Scott’s partner.
They said it initially appeared he had suffered a heart attack.
‘However, marks were observed on her neck and her body was transported to the island’s Institute of Forensic Medicine for further analysis.
Several witnesses told police they saw one of the staff members carry out a choke hold known as Mata Leao (Lion Killer) because the British man he performed it on was so agitated.
‘After being immobilized, he collapsed to the ground.
Friends recalled Scott’s acts of kindness and wrote that he was a “good man.”
General view of Playa del Inglés in Gran Canaria, where Scott and his friends were partying
Police analysed CCTV footage, which showed a staff member at the nightclub grabbing the victim by the neck before he fell to the ground.
‘The forensic report confirmed that the cause of death was asphyxiation.
‘Given the risk that the alleged murderer might escape, a search operation was launched and once the suspect was located he was immediately arrested.
“He was later sent to a local jail by order of an investigating judge.”
The arrest took place on July 29, although police only made it public yesterday after the suspect appeared in court in a closed-door hearing and was taken into custody.
The club will not reopen until Saturday and it was not possible to contact anyone who was there today.
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