Funeral held of man found dead in Ibiza

The funeral of Jeffrey Hodgson, who disappeared while on holiday with his parents in Ibiza, took place on Wednesday in the family's hometown of Edgeley, Stockport. Thirty-eight-year-old Jeffrey Hodgson went missing on the Spanish island while his family were checking into their hotel in the resort of Cala Llonga in July 2001. His body was discovered on the island in October last year and was identified by DNA tests. Mr Hodgson, who had learning difficulties and had a mental age of eight, was described by his family as a man whom everyone loved. “We would like people to take the opportunity to remember Jeffrey as he was,” the statement, issued by Jeffrey's parents Beryl and Derek said. “He was such a happy child who turned into a friendly and likeable man whom everyone loved. “Jeffrey would talk to everyone and had so many friends in and around Stockport, who have all been wonderful since he went missing.” They spoke of how he loved to watch both Stockport County FC and Manchester City. Beryl and Derek paid tribute to the clubs and supporters who helped raise money for the search as well as family, friends and people living in Stockport who had contacted them to sympathise over Jeffrey's death. The search for Jeffrey was one of the biggest manhunts ever staged in Ibiza and involved a team of specialist dog handlers from the UK, who volunteered to help Spanish police and the military. A huge campaign was launched in Ibiza to try and find Jeffrey, a reward was offered for information leading to his whereabouts and number of sightings were reported, but sadly none led to the missing 38-year-old whose body was finally found not far from their hotel in a rocky gorge.