‘Heartbroken’ family confirms body found in Prague river is British tourist

The family of a 29-year-old British tourist who went missing in Prague last month have confirmed a body found in a river by Czech police is his.

Joop Sparkes, from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, was last seen in the early hours of April 28 when he jumped into the Vltava River from a party boat.

He was reported missing after he did not resurface.

A body was recovered from the river, which runs through the centre of the Czech capital, yesterday.

Writing on Facebook, his sister Jodie Wilson said: ‘The body recovered from the water last night has been confirmed as Joop.

‘We are all absolutely heartbroken and this wasn’t the outcome we had hoped for but like we promised we are bringing our boy home.

‘We love you to the moon and back Joopster and you have left the biggest hole in our hearts ever. Rest easy baby bro.’

Jodie had flown out to Prague with Joop’s girlfriend Charley Maben and aunt Gillian soon after his disappearance to help with the search.

The construction worker’s boat had departed from the President Hotel Prague on his second night in Prague, after he arrived with a group of friends on April 26.

He is thought to have jumped into the river while the rest of his group was at the bar.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been contacted for comment.

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