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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
My son had the dream life in Spain – then a phone call changed everything, I may never get the answers I need
Sandra Adams claims that hidden security footage could be hiding the secrets she needs MUM'S PLEA My son had the dream life in Spain – then a phone call changed everything, I may never get the answers I need A YEAR ago, Sandra Adams received a call that will haunt her for the rest of her life. She was on her way home from work on 22 July last year and she says at that moment her old life ended. Advertisement 7 Breet Dryden was found dead in his home in Spain Credit: Supplied 7 Heartrboken mum Sandra Adams believes that her son was killed Credit: Supplied She was told that her only son Brett Dryden, had been found dead at his home in Spain. While Sandra says that at times the grief is unbearable, she is kept going by her quest for the truth about the circumstances of his death. She is driven by a burning sense of injustice, because she believes police bungled the initial investigation and Brett's death remains a mystery- one she is determined to solve. Brett seemingly had the perfect life in the sun. The 35-year-old father-of-one, originally from County Durham, moved to Spain in 2019 with his partner. Advertisement They had a daughter. The relationship didn't work out and the couple split but Brett stayed in Spain to build his business and remained a doting father. He lived in the laid-back Spanish seaside town of Mojácar in the province of Almería where he ran a legal cannabis club called The Dawg House. Sandra, from Chester-Le-Street, says: 'When he moved, I was devastated but it was his choice. 'He had an amazing life there. He loved it. He had loads of friends and said he would never move back.' Advertisement But that dream life ended on July 22 last year, the day Sandra received a call from one of Brett's friends in Spain who had found his body in his villa. 'I couldn't believe what I was hearing,' she says. Tributes Pour In for Father-of-Three Who Tragically Died in Benidorm 'My world caved in, I was in utter disbelief and I'm still in shock today.' In a daze, Sandra, a carer, 56, and her husband and Brett's stepdad Rob flew to Spain that day. Advertisement One of the friends who found Brett claimed he'd overheard the Spanish police known as the Guardia Civil saying they believed Brett had been struck in the head with an axe. However, the friends had been allowed to walk through the villa several times, which was potentially a murder scene. A post-mortem was performed the following day. It concluded Brett died of a pulmonary embolism, caused by a blood clot in his lungs. The case was closed. 'They said it was a terrible accident. He fell and banged his head,' Sandra explains. Advertisement She was immediately sceptical. Rob had taken photos and video of blood stains in several locations around the property. Her suspicions were further raised when she went to see her son's body. 7 Brett moved to Spain with his daughter and partner but when they returned to England he decided to stay put Credit: Supplied 7 Initially Brett's death was ruled as accidental but his parents don't believe this is the case Credit: Supplied Advertisement 7 'He was in the chapel of rest, and there was a huge wound in the side of his head,' she recalls. 'I knew in my gut that something was not right. He had other visible injuries. To me it looked like there had been a struggle.' The family have only recently been given details of what was contained in the full Spanish autopsy report. Advertisement They hired a Spanish lawyer who gained access to official documents in the case. According to him, the autopsy report detailed injuries to Brett's legs, arms, head and neck and fingernail marks, cuts and bruises on his face. There were nail wounds to his lips and neck. There was also a four-centimetre wound to his head and bruising to his ear, eye and skull on his left side. Pathologists found internal bleeding to the right side of his head and 'intense encephalic congestion' - an injury resulting in the brain's blood vessels becoming swollen and congested. Advertisement The report also reveals police had admitted to pathologists that Brett had been the victim of a home invasion. I just don't understand how we're nearly a year on and no further forward Sandra Adams The report stated: 'During the examination signs of a struggle were observed on the body such as droplets of blood in various locations on the body.' Despite all this the autopsy also said there was cocaine in Brett's system and concluded this was what triggered the pulmonary embolism and within a day of the original postmortem the case was closed. Still raw and in shock at their loss, Sandra and Rob did their own digging. Advertisement They discovered several of Brett's personal belongings were missing including his mobile phone, his wallet and his designer sunglasses. In the days after his death Sandra used Brett's MacBook to track the missing iPhone which was still being used and pinged at several locations in the nearby town of Vera. She showed the police. Four days after Brett's death, with so many unanswered questions, a local court ordered the police to reopen the case and treat it as a homicide investigation. Sandra believes cops were hoping to sweep the death under the carpet to protect the reputation of the area, which relies on tourism. Advertisement 'If they could have covered it up, they would have done,' claims Sandra. In addition to the phone location, the Adams also discovered potential CCTV evidence after Rob knocked on neighbours' doors looking for video footage. Sandra explains: 'One neighbour confirmed they had footage but under Spanish law they're not allowed to give the CCTV footage to anybody but the police, who now have the footage. 'We haven't seen it but our lawyer has seen reference to it in the police reports, which he says clearly shows two people leaving Brett's villa the day he died. Advertisement 'He says the people were carrying what appeared to be the same type of bag Brett used to carry the takings from his club. 'What's more, the manager of Brett's club also told police that he was on the phone to Brett before he died and that Brett cut the conversation short with the words: 'I've got to go, they're here.'' Where to seek grief support Need professional help with grief? Child Bereavement UK Cruse Bereavement Relate The Good Grief Trust You can also always speak to your GP if you're struggling. You're Not Alone Check out these books, podcasts and apps that all expertly navigate grief… Griefcast: Cariad Lloyd interviews comedians on this award-winning podcast. The Madness Of Grief by Rev Richard Coles (£9.99, W&N): The Strictly fave writes movingly on losing his husband David to alcoholism. Terrible, Thanks For Asking: Podcast host Nora McInerny encourages non-celebs to share how they're really feeling. Good Mourning by Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn (£14.99, Murdoch Books): A guide for people who've suffered sudden loss, like the authors who both lost their mums. Grief Works: Download this for daily meditations and expert tips. How To Grieve Like A Champ by Lianna Champ (£3.99, Red Door Press): A book for improving your relationship with death. Sandra now believes that people who knew Brett tried to rob him, and that he fought back and was killed. 'He was only a little chap,' she says. Advertisement 'He was five foot five and a half. But I know he wouldn't have let anybody come into his house and not defended himself. 'I just don't understand how we're nearly a year on and no further forward.' After Brett's body was repatriated, UK authorities held their own autopsy. The results have yet to be released. 'When we get those details, we can compare them with the Spanish postmortem report,' says Sandra. Advertisement 'If I didn't have this to fight for, I don't think I'd be was my only son. 'When I had him, I wasn't with his dad, so it was me and him until I met Rob. 'He was a great boy. He was always smiling. He had a really good heart. He was happy-go-lucky and he would help anybody if he could.' Sandra says Brett's daughter is struggling to cope with the loss. Advertisement 'She's a really brave little girl,' says Sandra. I would hate for anybody to go through what we're going through. It's hell on earth every single day Sandra Adams 'She talks about her daddy openly, but she talks about him as if he is still here. She misses him terribly because they were really close.' And when Sandra was diagnosed with early-stage womb cancer in 2023 and needed a hysterectomy, Brett was there to support his doting mum. On the anniversary of his death the family will fly out to Spain to remember him. Brett's daughter, his sister, Shannon and his aunt and his nieces and nephews will be there. Advertisement 'I am going to lay flowers up at the villa,' says Sandra. ''We will go to Zeppelin Bar where he spent most of his nights with his friends and where I'm going to raise a glass to him. 'I'm going to make it a celebration of his life. I'm not dreading it because I feel close to him out there. I feel at peace there.' But until she's satisfied that she knows what happened, Sandra remains in limbo. The family have set up a Go Fund Me page to help with their legal costs. Advertisement 'I want justice, I want to know what happened and I want the police to take accountability for the mess they made of it because they clearly tried to cover it up in the beginning,' she says. 'I'm going to keep talking about it and keep looking for answers because I need to keep the case out there, and to let the authorities, and whoever did it, know that I'm not going away.' A court spokesman previously said of the case: 'The investigation hasn't been suspended or closed. It is still open, and this incident remains under investigation. "The court is waiting for the Guardia Civil to complete their full report and present their conclusions. For the time being there's nothing more we can say.' Advertisement The Sun reached out to the Guardia Civil for comment. 'I'm hoping that they do find who did this,' says Sandra. 'I would hate for anybody to go through what we're going through. It's hell on earth every single day. 'He was my only son. I don't think I'll ever come to terms with it. I think I'll cry every day for his loss. I navigate through my grief. I'm doing the best I can. He deserves justice.' Advertisement 7 Sandra says getting to the truth of what happened is what keeps her going Credit: Supplied
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
My son had the dream life in Spain – then a phone call changed everything, I may never get the answers I need
A YEAR ago, Sandra Adams received a call that will haunt her for the rest of her life. She was on her way home from work on 22 July last year and she says at that moment her old life ended. 6 6 She was told that her only son Brett Dryden, had been found dead at his home in Spain. While Sandra says that at times the grief is unbearable, she is kept going by her quest for the truth about the circumstances of his death. She is driven by a burning sense of injustice, because she believes police bungled the initial investigation and Brett's death remains a mystery- one she is determined to solve. Brett seemingly had the perfect life in the sun. The 35-year-old father-of-one, originally from County Durham, moved to Spain in 2019 with his partner. They had a daughter. The relationship didn't work out and the couple split but Brett stayed in Spain to build his business and remained a doting father. He lived in the laid-back Spanish seaside town of Mojácar in the province of Almería where he ran a legal cannabis club called The Dawg House. Sandra, from Chester-Le-Street, says: 'When he moved, I was devastated but it was his choice. 'He had an amazing life there. He loved it. He had loads of friends and said he would never move back.' But that dream life ended on July 22 last year, the day Sandra received a call from one of Brett's friends in Spain who had found his body in his villa. 'I couldn't believe what I was hearing,' she says. Tributes Pour In for Father-of-Three Who Tragically Died in Benidorm 'My world caved in, I was in utter disbelief and I'm still in shock today.' In a daze, Sandra, a carer, 56, and her husband and Brett's stepdad Rob flew to Spain that day. One of the friends who found Brett claimed he'd overheard the Spanish police known as the Guardia Civil saying they believed Brett had been struck in the head with an axe. However, the friends had been allowed to walk through the villa several times, which was potentially a murder scene. A post-mortem was performed the following day. It concluded Brett died of a pulmonary embolism, caused by a blood clot in his lungs. The case was closed. 'They said it was a terrible accident. He fell and banged his head,' Sandra explains. She was immediately sceptical. Rob had taken photos and video of blood stains in several locations around the property. Her suspicions were further raised when she went to see her son's body. 6 6 'He was in the chapel of rest, and there was a huge wound in the side of his head,' she recalls. 'I knew in my gut that something was not right. He had other visible injuries. To me it looked like there had been a struggle.' The family have only recently been given details of what was contained in the full Spanish autopsy report. They hired a Spanish lawyer who gained access to official documents in the case. According to him, the autopsy report detailed injuries to Brett's legs, arms, head and neck and fingernail marks, cuts and bruises on his face. There were nail wounds to his lips and neck. There was also a four-centimetre wound to his head and bruising to his ear, eye and skull on his left side. Pathologists found internal bleeding to the right side of his head and 'intense encephalic congestion' - an injury resulting in the brain's blood vessels becoming swollen and congested. The report also reveals police had admitted to pathologists that Brett had been the victim of a home invasion. The report stated: 'During the examination signs of a struggle were observed on the body such as droplets of blood in various locations on the body.' Despite all this the autopsy also said there was cocaine in Brett's system and concluded this was what triggered the pulmonary embolism and within a day of the original postmortem the case was closed. Still raw and in shock at their loss, Sandra and Rob did their own digging. They discovered several of Brett's personal belongings were missing including his mobile phone, his wallet and his designer sunglasses. In the days after his death Sandra used Brett's MacBook to track the missing iPhone which was still being used and pinged at several locations in the nearby town of Vera. She showed the police. Four days after Brett's death, with so many unanswered questions, a local court ordered the police to reopen the case and treat it as a homicide investigation. Sandra believes cops were hoping to sweep the death under the carpet to protect the reputation of the area, which relies on tourism. 'If they could have covered it up, they would have done,' claims Sandra. In addition to the phone location, the Adams also discovered potential CCTV evidence after Rob knocked on neighbours' doors looking for video footage. Sandra explains: 'One neighbour confirmed they had footage but under Spanish law they're not allowed to give the CCTV footage to anybody but the police, who now have the footage. 'We haven't seen it but our lawyer has seen reference to it in the police reports, which he says clearly shows two people leaving Brett's villa the day he died. 'He says the people were carrying what appeared to be the same type of bag Brett used to carry the takings from his club. 'What's more, the manager of Brett's club also told police that he was on the phone to Brett before he died and that Brett cut the conversation short with the words: 'I've got to go, they're here.'' Where to seek grief support Need professional help with grief? Child Bereavement UK Cruse Bereavement Relate The Good Grief Trust You can also always speak to your GP if you're struggling. You're Not Alone Check out these books, podcasts and apps that all expertly navigate grief… Griefcast: Cariad Lloyd interviews comedians on this award-winning podcast. The Madness Of Grief by Rev Richard Coles (£9.99, W&N): The Strictly fave writes movingly on losing his husband David to alcoholism. Terrible, Thanks For Asking: Podcast host Nora McInerny encourages non-celebs to share how they're really feeling. Good Mourning by Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn (£14.99, Murdoch Books): A guide for people who've suffered sudden loss, like the authors who both lost their mums. Grief Works: Download this for daily meditations and expert tips. How To Grieve Like A Champ by Lianna Champ (£3.99, Red Door Press): A book for improving your relationship with death. Sandra now believes that people who knew Brett tried to rob him, and that he fought back and was killed. 'He was only a little chap,' she says. 'He was five foot five and a half. But I know he wouldn't have let anybody come into his house and not defended himself. 'I just don't understand how we're nearly a year on and no further forward.' After Brett's body was repatriated, UK authorities held their own autopsy. The results have yet to be released. 'When we get those details, we can compare them with the Spanish postmortem report,' says Sandra. 'If I didn't have this to fight for, I don't think I'd be was my only son. 'When I had him, I wasn't with his dad, so it was me and him until I met Rob. 'He was a great boy. He was always smiling. He had a really good heart. He was happy-go-lucky and he would help anybody if he could.' Sandra says Brett's daughter is struggling to cope with the loss. 'She's a really brave little girl,' says Sandra. 'She talks about her daddy openly, but she talks about him as if he is still here. She misses him terribly because they were really close.' And when Sandra was diagnosed with early-stage womb cancer in 2023 and needed a hysterectomy, Brett was there to support his doting mum. On the anniversary of his death the family will fly out to Spain to remember him. Brett's daughter, his sister, Shannon and his aunt and his nieces and nephews will be there. 'I am going to lay flowers up at the villa,' says Sandra. ''We will go to Zeppelin Bar where he spent most of his nights with his friends and where I'm going to raise a glass to him. 'I'm going to make it a celebration of his life. I'm not dreading it because I feel close to him out there. I feel at peace there.' But until she's satisfied that she knows what happened, Sandra remains in limbo. The family have set up a Go Fund Me page to help with their legal costs. 'I want justice, I want to know what happened and I want the police to take accountability for the mess they made of it because they clearly tried to cover it up in the beginning,' she says. 'I'm going to keep talking about it and keep looking for answers because I need to keep the case out there, and to let the authorities, and whoever did it, know that I'm not going away.' A court spokesman previously said of the case: 'The investigation hasn't been suspended or closed. It is still open, and this incident remains under investigation. "The court is waiting for the Guardia Civil to complete their full report and present their conclusions. For the time being there's nothing more we can say.' The Sun reached out to the Guardia Civil for comment. 'I'm hoping that they do find who did this,' says Sandra. 'I would hate for anybody to go through what we're going through. It's hell on earth every single day. 'He was my only son. I don't think I'll ever come to terms with it. I think I'll cry every day for his loss. I navigate through my grief. I'm doing the best I can. He deserves justice.' 6 6
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Grieving mum of Brit found dead in Spain is convinced her son was 'murdered'
Father-of-one Brett Dryden, 35, was tragically found dead at his home in Spain. His mother Sandra Adams is calling for justice following the anniversary of his death A heartbroken family of a British expat who was discovered dead after suffering from a head injury say they are still fighting for answers a year after his death. Brett Dryden, 35, was found lying in a pool of his blood at his home in the town of Mojacar, Spain, on July 21 last year. His friends discovered him dead with a two-inch gash to his head after he went home for a siesta. The dad-of-one, who moved to the sunny destination in 2019, sustained injuries which indicated 'signs of a struggle.' Officials in Spain told his mother, Sandra Adams, that an autopsy showed he had suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism, which is when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in your lungs. Authorities earlier backtracked on claims that he had been attacked by an axe. Ms Adams, from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, believes her son was murdered and is calling for the authorities to take the investigation more seriously. It comes as a local court investigation into his death remains open. But court officials say they are still awaiting a full police report amid the customary silence from Spanish cops while their probe continues. Ms Adams has voiced fears of a 'cover-up' by authorities to protect the tourist trade. No arrests have yet taken place, despite CCTV footage Brett's stepfather is said to have obtained from a neighbour reportedly showing two men running away from his home in Mojacar where he ran a legal cannabis bar called The Dawg House and Ms Adams claiming police initially told them 'there'd been a violent murder.' A Spanish judicial official said today: 'The Civil Guard has not yet informed the investigating court, which is Court Number Four in Vera, about any novelties with regards to the police probe. It says it is still waiting for the Civil Guard investigators to submit a report to the court.' He added: 'What the court is going to do is to extend the investigation period for another six months. It will do that this week in accordance with the law, which compels a judge to extend a judicial investigation after a year has passed. There have been no arrests yet.' Sandra wrote on the family's Facebook campaign site Justice for Brett Dryden at the start of the week: 'Always on my mind. It's a year next Monday since you were violently taken away from us. You were robbed of your life. It only feels like yesterday I miss you with every beat of my heart Brett Dryden. Still no answers. We are fighting for justice to find the vile scum who took your life. My beautiful son, you will be forever missed.' In April she made a heartbreaking journey to where Mr Dryden died in a trip she described as 'soul-destroying' and coincided with what would have been his 36th birthday. She had planned to stage a protest against Spanish authorities but cancelled this after learning she could face prosecution without giving them 40 days notice. Shannen Adams, who organised a GoFundMe appeal for her sibling father-of-one after his death so he could be repatriated and 'his five-year-old daughter Charley could say goodbye to her daddy', wrote last week: 'As we prepare to fly out to Spain the pain of losing you is unbearable. 'One year without hearing your voice, your laugh, seeing your smile, just having your presence. Our life will never ever be the same without you here Brett. We miss you beyond words and we will continue to fight for justice for you. The people that took your life need to be held accountable. Our whole family are shattered. Charley robbed of her daddy. No little girl should have to grow up without her daddy.' Brett's mum and stepdad released footage of his blood-stained Costa home last month. They took the brave decision after getting hold of the autopsy report which despite saying the former Nissan factory worker died after falling and bashing his head following a pulmonary embolism caused by the use of drugs, pointed to 'signs of a struggle.' Sandra had already reported her son's belongings including his phone and designer Gucci sunglasses as missing in the aftermath of his death. She revealed last month she discovered his mobile was still in use after turning private detective and seeing through the Find My iPhone app it kept pinging back to a house near Mojacar - but claimed cops said they already knew when she told them and didn't seem that interested. In a new online post, Sandra said: 'As we prepare to fly out to Spain on Sunday, the pain of losing you is beyond words. To have to continue our life without you here is heartbreaking. One whole year on Monday without you here with us, and the evil scum that took you from us roam free. We will continue to fight for justice for you Brett if it's the last thing we do. We love you endlessly Brett.'
The Independent
20-04-2025
- The Independent
Sister of British man feared ‘murdered' in Spanish holiday hotspot wants answers
The sister of a British man who died in a Spanish holiday resort town has spoken of her fears he could have been 'murdered'. Brett Dryden, 35, was found dead in his Almeria flat with a four-inch gash to his head. Spanish police initially explained the father-of-one's death as a pulmonary embolism or a blood clot. Police later told his family that his home in the small town of Mojacar, Andalusia had been robbed and an investigation into what happened is still ongoing. The father-of-one's body was discovered on July 22, five years after moving to the resort Costa Almeria to run a legal cannabis club called The Dawg House. Mr Dryden was found lying on the floor facing upwards next to a living room window by friends who had arranged to meet him. His sister Shannen Adams told The Independent: 'It's hell on earth. Each day is a struggle. 'His daughter misses him hugely, she talks about her daddy all the time. It's awful, the worst pain imaginable.' 'I don't think we will ever be at peace, but knowing whoever did this and for them to be held accountable would bring us a little closure at least. 'There isn't a day that goes by when I don't think of him. He would have moved mountains for any of his family and friends, I know if this were the other way around. He was the life and soul of our family.' 'We won't ever stop until we get justice for our beautiful Brett,' she continued. 'I spoke to Brett two days before his death. He had only just got back to Spain after being home visiting us in the UK.' His grieving mother, Sandra Adams from Chester-Le-Street in County Durham, had flown over to Spain on her late son's 36th birthday to speak to locals and police about the night he died. Neighbours told his family that three men were spotted on CCTV fleeing the scene of the death. His designer glasses, cash and watch were also missing, prompting fears Mr Dryden could have been killed in a botched robbery. His mother also claims she received a silent call from her son's phone hours after medics say he was already dead. After tracking the mobile, she found it was being turned on and off and pinging from different locations across Spain. She has flown her son's body back to the UK to undergo more forensic testing but the results were inconclusive. In February Ms Adams told The Mirror about what happened when the family first raised their suspicions about her son's death. 'We rang the police and said, 'There's footage of people going into Brett's house and running away'. I flagged up all these things and that we think it was murder,' she explained. 'After that they called us in and said, 'We need you and your husband to take a step back and let us deal with it now'.' The investigation into the death is still ongoing with the Guardia Civil yet to comment on it publicly. The Independent has contacted the force for comment. A court spokesman previously said: 'The investigation hasn't been suspended or closed. It is still open and this incident remains under investigation. "The court is waiting for the Civil Guard to complete their full report and present their conclusions. For the time being there's nothing more we can say."
