The parents of a 6ft 8in British holidaymaker who was found dead on a luggage trolley in Cancun are desperate for answers after the circumstances remain unclear.
Dean Wright, 33, from Westerhope, Newcastle, was found dead on a luggage trolley inside the TUI-operated Hotel Riu Cancun he was staying at last December.
Guests described how they spotted the 6ft 8in frame of the electrician flanked by security guards as it lay near the lifts at the plush five-star resort.
Dean Wright, 33, from Westerhope, Newcastle, was found dead on a luggage trolley inside the TUI-operated Hotel Riu Cancun he was staying at last December
His parents Maria and Paul are yet to receive a death certificate and are still searching for answers as to what happened to their son almost a year after his death.
A family statement read: ‘We received the devastating phone call to say our lovely Dean had died, no explanation, just that he was dead.
‘He was a 33-year-old, fun-loving, generous Geordie lad on holiday with his friend. He loved life and loved to chat to people.’
Police investigations were carried out in the North East and Mexico but the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.
Police investigations were carried out in the North East and Mexico but the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear
In a fresh appeal for answers, Dean’s family added: ‘It is all very unclear, confusing and terrible.
‘We cannot properly grieve not knowing the truth about what happened.’
The timeline of Dean’s final hours is full of gaps but between Friday 13 December and Saturday 14 December 2019 he had socialised with various guests.
On Friday Dean had spent the day by the pool with a friend and American holidaymakers.
The same evening he had talked with members of an English hen party, as well as Americans, Canadians and a Russian who he enjoyed a cigarette with outside of the hotel’s sports bar in the early hours.
The timeline of Dean’s final hours is full of gaps but between Friday 13 December and Saturday 14 December 2019 he had socialised with various guests
Between 5am and 7am his family believe he may have been assaulted and soon after his body was found.
The family have now turned to social media to try to track down any witnesses that may be able to shed some light on the former St Cuthbert’s pupil’s final hours.
Former Senior Detective David Swindle, whose ‘David Swindle Crime Solutions’ team helps support families of those killed abroad, has also offered to help.
Dean’s loved ones have also enlisted the help of lawyer Shane Smith, a litigation executive at Slater and Gordon, who is assisting the family through the inquest process.
‘It is vital that we can gather as much information as possible in order to present Dean’s final movements to the coroner,’ said Mr Smith.
‘The family are desperate to discover what happened to Dean and we can’t do that without the help of people who were there at the time.
‘This has been a long 12 months of questions for Dean’s family and we really want to provide them with some answers.’
The family described Dean as a ‘bit of a joker who loved to make people laugh’ on an appeal website they have set up as well as a man who lived life to the fullest.
‘He was also a very caring and generous person who liked nothing better than to spend time with his family and friends,’ they added.
‘The bond he had with his mam was a special one. There wasn’t a day went by without him being in contact with her either by phone or text.
‘He loved his music and attended lots of gigs and festivals including being lucky enough to visit Glastonbury on more than one occasion with his mam, stepdad and family. He saw himself as a bit of a DJ and even invested in his own decks.’
Dean was also a hugely popular figure in his home city with almost 500 friends and family attending a final celebration of his life back in January.
The former electrician eventually trained as an inspector which enabled him to work all over the world – from Denmark to New Orleans, as well as Mexico.
‘This was his third time in Mexico but this time it was his last,’ his family added.
Guests described how they spotted the 6ft 8in frame of the electrician flanked by security guards as it lay near the lifts at the plush five-star resort. Pictured: TUI-operated Hotel Riu Cancun
‘His chance to live a full life and bear the fruits of his labour were stolen from him in the early hours of the morning of December 14 2019.
‘His mother will tell you that she has had 33 really precious years with him but now, together with the rest of his family will spend as many years as it takes to find out the truth and get justice for Dean.’
A spokesperson for TUI added: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear about Mr Wright and our thoughts remain with his family.
‘We have assisted UK police with their investigation and provided them with as much information as possible.
‘As this matter is subject to an ongoing investigation by the Mexican police, it would be inappropriate to comment further.’
For further details of the appeal, or if you have any information, visit www.deanwright.co.uk.