Youth worker, 24, found dead in Ibiza 'was attacked with bottles'
British youth worker, 24, found dead in Ibiza was attacked with bottles before he went into the sea, family tell inquest
- Anwaar Lahrichi-Greenwood found floating in San Antonio port in August 2018
- Family claim police want them to believe Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood slipped and fell
- But they claim witnesses have told them that he was beaten with a bottle
A 24-year-old British youth worker found dead in Ibiza was attacked with bottles before he went into the sea, his family claim.
Anwaar Lahrichi-Greenwood was found floating wearing nothing but his socks in San Antonio port hours after vanishing on a night out with friends on August 5, 2018.
His family claim Spanish police want them to believe Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood slipped and fell – but they say witnesses have told how he was beaten with a bottle.
Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood – who worked as a mentor and carer for vulnerable children – was last seen outside Soul City club near the town’s harbour 30 hours before his body was found, Barnet Coroner’s Court heard.
At the time of his death his family criticised the San Antonio police for not properly investigating what happened.
Anwaar Lahrichi-Greenwood (pictured) was found floating wearing nothing but his socks in San Antonio port hours after vanishing on a night out with friends on August 5, 2018
His cousin, Syan Angol, said the family had travelled to the island to investigate and disputed local police’s account of the facts.
Summarising an autopsy report from forensic pathologist Dr Simon Morris Poole, Coroner Simon Walker said: ‘You can’t indicate the mechanism by which the head injuries were sustained, it is not possible to exclude violent strikes, such as from a bottle or the sea bed.
‘The lungs suggest the deceased was alive when he entered the water.
‘You can’t indicate when or how Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood died, you did not suggest he was dragged and deposited into the sea.’
Dr Morris Poole confirmed that the toxicology results were ‘confusing’ and he could not be certain about the level of intoxication at the time of death.
Coroner Mr Walker said: ‘Witnesses saw a number of blows with a bottle to the head and he was found on the ground with someone tending to his injuries, he was not in water at that time.
‘Bearing in mind your conclusions of the injuries, do you think that there could have been in this case an element of concussion affecting Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood?
Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood (pictured) – who worked as a mentor and carer for vulnerable children – was last seen outside Soul City club near the town’s harbour 30 hours before his body was found, Barnet Coroner’s Court heard
‘I think that it’s certainly possible, the reason I say that is that concussion as a clinical state is often not associated with structural or anatomical in the membrane at the time of autopsy,’ said the coroner.
‘Had he entered the water he might have been at considerable disadvantage.’
Witnesses came forward after the family offered a £5,000 reward for any information which would lead to a conviction.
Ms Angol earlier said: ‘We personally believe he is being painted as another British tourist who goes out to Ibiza, gets drunk, loses themselves and accidents happen.
‘That’s what they want us to believe.’
His family claim Spanish police want them to believe Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood slipped and fell – but they say witnesses have told how he was beaten with a bottle. Pictured: The port where his body was found
According to the family, witnesses said Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood, from Edmonton, north London, had been ‘hit over the head with a bottle’ during a ‘brawl’ with three Spanish youths.
‘We have written statements, addresses, numbers and established a timeline.’
‘Although there are still bits missing, we probably have more than the Spanish authorities have.’
Witnesses described seeing Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood being hit at least twice with a bottle before refusing treatment from paramedics and leaving the scene.
The inquest into the death of Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood continues.
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