Linea Directa 200 LEFT COL CAR INSURANCE

PROPERTY SEARCH

Date Published: 17/02/2026

Concern grows for missing British pensioner in Nerja

The 79-year-old vanished from his Costa del Sol hotel five days ago, leaving police with few leads

Police are growing increasingly worried about a 79-year-old British tourist who has been missing from Nerja on the Costa del Sol since last Thursday. Iain Stanley was last seen leaving the Perla Marina Hotel around 2pm on Thursday February 12, while on holiday with his wife.

His wife reported him missing that same evening, but despite five days of searching, the Guardia Civil say they have very little to go on. “We’re making all the normal checks in places like hospitals and conducting physical searches but have turned up nothing so far,” one officer told reporters. Another added, “It’s difficult because we’ve got very little to go on still apart from the place this man was seen leaving which was his holiday accommodation.”

Iain was dressed in black jeans, a shirt and a blue jacket when he was last seen. He left without his phone or passport, which has made the search even harder. A taxi driver in nearby Torrox thought he spotted someone matching Iain’s description, but police have ruled that out as a false lead.

A Guardia Civil spokesman in Málaga confirmed the search remains active but admitted officers “aren’t any closer yet to establishing where the missing man could be and what has happened.” Fears for his wellbeing are mounting, particularly if he has wandered into the rugged mountain areas nearby. “It’s a disappearance that is giving officers great cause for concern. It’s been five days now since he went missing,” one investigator noted.

Iain is said to be in good health and was enjoying a two-month stay in Nerja, a favourite spot for British expats and visitors. Word of his disappearance has spread quickly through local Facebook groups, with family members making desperate pleas for information.

Anyone with news of Iain Stanley is urged to contact the Guardia Civil immediately.

You might also be interested in: Elderly British woman rescued from Tenerife ravine after 28 hours lost on hike

Image: Googlemaps

Linea Directa Bottom Article A-L CAR INSURANCE

Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox

Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)