British man, 21, who went missing after TwitchCon event is found dead in water after family travelled to Netherlands in desperate bid to find him

By WILL HALLOWELL, NEWS REPORTER Published: 23:52, 4 June 2026 | Updated: 23:54, 4 June 2026 A 'deeply loved' British man who went missing after a video game convention in the Netherlands has been found dead in a river.  Bradley Passey, 21, had disappeared on Sunday, May 30 following a night out in Rotterdam with friends.  He was last seen at around 2am near Munch night club on Maasboulevard, close to Willemsbrug.  But after a desperate four-day manhunt, Mr Passey's body was recovered on Thursday morning at Boompjeskade, a waterfront on the Nieuwe Maas, a distributary of the Rhine River.  The 21-year-old's family had flown out to the Netherlands in a desperate bid to find him. They visited hospitals and reviewed CCTV footage to find clues that would lead to his whereabouts.  Mr Passey flew to the Netherlands for TwitchCon, a video gaming convention, in Rotterdam held from 30-31 May.  However alarm bells were raised when the 21-year-old did not board his scheduled flight to Manchester on Monday.  Bradley Passey, 21, had disappeared on Sunday, May 30 following a night out in Rotterdam with friends He last seen at around 2am near Munch night club on Maasboulevard, close to Willemsbrug  Mr Passey was described as being around 6ft 5ins, with a slim build, light skin and long ginger hair.  He is believed to have been wearing an oversized beige jacket, grey trousers and white trainers at the time of his disappearance.   The 21-year-old was still using his phone in the early hours before he vanished - but it is believed the device was later switched off.  His family put out an urgent appeal for help earlier this week, sharing the last known sighting of him leaving a hostel, reportedly in the Overblaak Cube Houses area, the day before.  His sister, Amy Day, wrote in a social media post: 'My brother Bradley Passey is currently missing. 'He recently attended a gaming convention in Rotterdam and was due to fly home to Manchester this morning. 'His last known whereabouts was Rotterdam on Saturday evening. No one has had any contact with him since Saturday evening.  'We have tried to contact him, no answer. No one is able to see his location currently.  Pictured: A missing person's poster which had circulated online during the urgent manhunt  According to his family, this CCTV image shows Mr Passey at around 12pm on May 30 at the hostel where he was staying  'Police are currently contacting where he stayed and airports to see if he boarded the plane home. Please share far and wide.'  She later added: 'We know Bradley didn't board the flight home. We know Bradley was last seen outside of club Munch Rotterdam at 2am on 31st May.'  Ms Day had searched her brother's laptop for clues - but he had not been in contact with anyone since his vanished.   After Mr Passey's body was tragically recovered on Thursday, his sister wrote in another post: 'This isn't a post we ever thought we would be sharing, but we have sadly had confirmation this morning that Bradley Passey unfortunately drowned in River Maas. 'We hoped that we would have time as a family to process this, but unfortunately news has already spread in the media in Netherlands. 'We appreciate all the love sent over the last few days, the shares and any donations made so far on the GoFundMe (page).  'Please continue to do so because we don't know how long my family will remain in Rotterdam.' His family have now set up a GoFundMe page to contribute towards funeral costs.  Paying tribute, they said: 'It is with broken hearts that we share the devastating news that Bradley has sadly passed away while on holiday in Rotterdam. 'Bradley had travelled abroad to attend a gaming convention and was due to return home to Manchester.  'When he didn't board his flight and contact was lost, his family immediately flew out to the Netherlands to search for him alongside local authorities.  'Tragically, we have now received the news no family ever wants to hear. 'Bradley was a deeply loved son, brother, and friend. He meant so much to everyone who knew him, and his loss has left an unimaginable void in our lives. 'We are now faced with the heartbreaking task of bringing Bradley home and giving him the send-off he truly deserves.  'The costs involved are significant and unexpected, including repatriation, funeral arrangements, and supporting the family while they remain abroad during this incredibly difficult time. 'We are asking for any support you can give - no matter how small - to help ease this financial burden so the family can focus on grieving and honoring Bradley's life. 'If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page to help us reach as many people as possible. 'Thank you for your kindness, support, and for keeping Bradley and his family in your thoughts.' Dutch police do not suspect foul play and Mr Passey's death is being treated as an accident.  An FCDO spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who died in the Netherlands, and we are liaising with local authorities.'  No comments have so far been submitted. 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