Police in Turks and Caicos have confirmed the identity of a body found in the Grace Bay area as Brian Patrick Tarrence, a 52-year-old Manhattan resident who disappeared while vacationing with his wife in June. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force announced the identification following forensic dental analysis.
Tarrence vanished on June 25 during what was supposed to be a seven-day anniversary celebration with his wife Maria. The couple had arrived on the island on June 22 and planned to return June 29. Security cameras captured the last known image of Tarrence at approximately 3:40 a.m. on June 25, showing him leaving his accommodation at the Paradise Inn near Grace Bay Beach alone.
His decomposing body was discovered on July 5 in a roughly five-foot-deep ditch alongside the road near his hotel. The location was described as approximately a 20-minute walk from where he was last seen, in a residential commercial area about a block off Leeward Highway. Authorities conducted an autopsy that revealed no signs of trauma, and police do not suspect foul play in Tarrence’s death.
The search for Tarrence involved extensive efforts by local authorities, including ground searches, drone surveillance, and review of CCTV footage. Local residents and volunteers also participated in the coordinated search operation led by police. The Ministry of Tourism and Experience Turks and Caicos noted that comprehensive measures were taken to locate the missing tourist.
Tarrence’s family hired private investigator Carl DeFazio, a former NYPD detective and Marine, to assist with the search efforts. DeFazio worked closely with the Turks and Caicos Police Force throughout the investigation. The private investigator revealed that Tarrence had left his accommodation with his phone and wallet but without his passport during the early morning hours.
According to DeFazio, the day before Tarrence disappeared, the couple had gone on a boat trip, and his wife noticed her husband seemed different. The investigator indicated that on the day of his disappearance, Tarrence was experiencing mental distress and was not acting coherently. DeFazio noted that Tarrence was not under medical care or taking medication that he was aware of, but emphasized the man’s wife was quite concerned about his unusual behavior.
On the night he went missing, Maria had gone to bed early while her husband stayed up late to watch television. DeFazio explained that Tarrence then embarked on his late-night walk, but his wife was unaware of his departure until she woke up in the morning to find him gone.
Tarrence worked as a vice president at Diligent Software in Manhattan. He had recently relocated to Manhattan from Monroe, New York, where he had lived for approximately two years. Neighbors in Monroe described the couple as keeping to themselves and noted they had moved to the city to be closer to Tarrence’s stepson, who was attending college there.
The investigation revealed that Tarrence was captured on additional surveillance footage walking near Leeward Highway at 4:05 a.m., roughly 30 minutes after leaving his accommodation. This footage helped narrow the search area for the organized ground search that ultimately led to the discovery of his remains.
Tourism Minister Zhavargo Jolly expressed condolences to the family and gratitude to all who participated in the search efforts. He stated that authorities indicated there was no evidence of suspicious circumstances surrounding Tarrence’s disappearance or death. The minister noted that the entire Turks and Caicos community mourns the loss alongside the Tarrence family.
Police continue to await final autopsy and toxicology reports to complete their investigation into Tarrence’s death. Acting Commissioner Rodney Adams extended condolences to the family and thanked the public for their patience and support during the investigation.