Body Found in Turks and Caicos Identified as Missing Former Hudson Valley Resident

TURKS AND CAICOS — Authorities have confirmed that the body discovered earlier this month in the Grace Bay area belongs to Brian Tarrence, a 51-year-old former Hudson Valley resident who had gone missing while vacationing in Turks and Caicos.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force released a statement Wednesday evening confirming Tarrence’s identity through forensic dental analysis. His body had been discovered on July 5, nearly ten days after he was last seen.

No Signs of Foul Play

According to the police, an autopsy conducted on July 11 showed no signs of trauma. “At this time, there is no suspicion of foul play,” officials stated in a Facebook post. Final autopsy and toxicology results are still pending and expected to offer more insight into the cause of death.

Timeline of Disappearance

Tarrence, who had recently moved from Monroe in Orange County, New York, to Manhattan, was vacationing with his wife when he disappeared in the early morning hours of June 25. Surveillance footage showed him leaving their Paradise Inn Airbnb around 3:30 a.m.

Roughly 30 minutes later, a second video captured him walking alone along Leeward Highway—one of the main roads on the island. That was the last confirmed sighting of him before his body was discovered over a week later.

Search and Discovery

A widespread search was launched following Tarrence’s disappearance, involving local authorities, volunteers, and international support from concerned friends and family. His remains were eventually found near Grace Bay, a popular area known for its resorts and white-sand beaches.

The confirmation of his identity brings some closure to a case that had drawn growing attention both in the U.S. and abroad. News outlets had reported extensively on the disappearance, particularly due to the unusual circumstances and the time that had passed before his body was located.

Awaiting Final Reports

While investigators have stated there is no immediate evidence of foul play, the final autopsy and toxicology results will provide more definitive answers in the coming weeks.

Family and friends have expressed heartbreak over the news, describing Tarrence as a warm, kindhearted man who loved to travel and explore new places. Plans for memorial services have not yet been announced.

Officials have not commented on whether the island’s terrain, weather, or other natural elements may have contributed to Tarrence’s death.

The investigation remains open, pending the results of all final forensic analyses.