Greg Monks Missing in Portugal: Timeline, CCTV, Family Tribute

When Greg Monks left his friends on the Albufeira strip early on 28 May 2025, it was supposed to be a short walk back to his apartment. The 38-year-old from Cambuslang never made it, and his body was found in a ravine on 4 June after a week-long search.

Age: 38 ·
Hometown: Cambuslang, Scotland ·
Date went missing: 28 May 2025 ·
Date body found: 4 June 2025 ·
Last seen area: Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal

Ten key details give a quick overview of the case.

What happened to Greg Monks?

How did the search unfold?

• Greg Monks, 38, from Cambuslang, disappeared during the first night of a five-day stag do in Albufeira (Sky News via YouTube).
• He was last seen on the Albufeira strip before heading back to his holiday apartment (The Independent).
• Friends reported him missing to Portuguese police on 28 May (The Independent).
• A major search operation was launched by Portuguese police using dogs and drones (Portugal Resident).
• The body of a 38-year-old man was found at the bottom of a ravine on 4 June, a long way from where Monks was last seen (The Independent).

The implication: Portuguese police relied on a combination of CCTV footage and ground searches to locate the body. The discovery site was more than an hour’s walk from the Albufeira Strip, on vacant and uneven terrain with rocky outcrops and cliffs (The Independent).

What were the final moments of Greg Monks?

Where was Greg Monks last seen on CCTV?

• CCTV footage captured Monks twice around the residential area of Cerro de Aguia (The Independent).
• He was officially last sighted at 3:27am on 28 May 2025 (The Independent).
• Monks told friends he was heading back to his apartment after drinking (The Independent).
• His route took him toward the Cerro de Aguia area, which features rough terrain, rocky outcrops, and cliffs (The Independent).

The pattern: the CCTV evidence shows a clear path from the nightlife strip into a residential area, but the terrain beyond that point is treacherous. Police believe he may have lost his way in the dark.

Who was Greg Monks?

Where was Greg Monks from?

• Greg Monks was a 38-year-old from Cambuslang, a town on the outskirts of Glasgow, Scotland (Sky News via YouTube).
• He was in Albufeira, Portugal, for a stag do holiday with a group of friends (The Independent).

Why was he in Portugal?

• He had travelled to the Algarve for a five-day stag party (Sky News via YouTube).
• Monks’ parents and girlfriend flew to Portugal to assist in the search after he was reported missing (Sky News via YouTube).

What this means: Monks was an ordinary holidaymaker caught in a situation that turned fatal. The fact that his family immediately joined the search shows how close‑knit his support network was.

How did the community and family respond?

What was the sand sculpture tribute?

• A sand sculpture tribute appeared on an Albufeira beach in memory of Greg Monks (The Independent).

What did the family say?

• The family expressed devastation following the discovery of his body (The Independent).
• A GoFundMe page was set up to help with repatriation costs (Portugal Resident).

The catch: while the GoFundMe page provided immediate financial support, the emotional toll on the family is likely to last far longer. The Portuguese community’s gesture through the sand sculpture shows how grief can unite strangers.

What have authorities confirmed about the case?

How was Greg Monks identified?

• Portuguese daily Correio da Manha first reported the body discovery (The Independent).
• Police (Policia Judiciaria) were at the scene of the body discovery (The Independent).
• A post-mortem examination has been ordered to determine the cause of death (The Independent).

Is there any update on cause of death?

• No cause of death has been released as of reporting (The Independent).
• All scenarios remain open, including the possibility of an accident (The Independent).

The implication: without a formal cause of death, the case remains officially open. Portuguese authorities have not ruled out foul play but have stressed the terrain may have contributed to an accident.

For Scottish tourists planning a trip to the Algarve, the case is a stark reminder that even a short walk in unfamiliar terrain can have deadly consequences. The Monks family now face repatriating their son, while Portuguese authorities continue their investigation.

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