Josh Rogers’ family want new post-mortem test after Spain death

The family of a man whose body was discovered in woodland in Spain say they have still not been told how he died, and have accused the Spanish authorities of “letting them down”.

Josh Rogers, 33, from Bloxwich, West Midlands, had just arrived for a solo holiday in Lloret de Mar when he left his hotel room on 20 September.

Three days later, his body was found in a wooded area near a residential street about a 20-minute walk from his hotel.

Catalan police said they had closed their investigation after a post-mortem examination found no evidence of violence or criminal intent. But his family want new tests carried out.

Mr Rogers’ sister, Ashley Rogers, said communication had “run cold” and the family had waited ten weeks for confirmation of the cause of death – information believed to be held by the Spanish coroner’s court.

“Contact between the Spanish police and my mum has been very minimal,” Ms Rogers told BBC Midlands Today.

“We’ve requested a lot of information that we haven’t received – but the British Consulate have been a great help.”

DNA test results confirming the body’s identity were relayed to the family only last week, days after the BBC contacted Catalan police about the delay.

Officials said the tests were routine because Mr Rogers’ DNA was not held on any database.

His sister said she had serious concerns about the thoroughness of the investigation by Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police).

She said both cash and her brother’s mobile phone – that he was seen holding on CCTV – were missing.

“I believe they’ve been stolen because Josh wouldn’t lose his phone,” she said.

“He was always in constant contact with his family, and everybody says it’s not like Josh to just lose his phone.”

Mr Rogers , who had Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neurological condition affecting mobility, was a Wolverhampton Wanderers fan and may have been heading to a bar to watch a match, his family believes. They insist the disappearance was “out of character”.

“The police ruled out foul play straight away, which we think is crazy. Somebody must have had his belongings or know something”, his sister said.

In a statement, Mossos d’Esquadra said: “The investigators and the forensic doctor did not find any signs of violence in the examination of the body, and later during the autopsy no specific cause was detected that would make the investigation continue.

“The police have already closed the case as a non-criminal death.”

Once Mr Rogers’ body is flown back to the UK, the family said they would apply for a second post-mortem examination.

“We feel like we’re not being told the truth completely and things may be twisted,” Ms Rogers said.

“We know in previous cases of British lads dying in Spain they’ve had second autopsies – with different results. And I think we really, really deserve that to try to get justice for Josh.”

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We have not been approached for consular assistance, but our staff stand ready to support British nationals overseas 24/7.”