John Matthews died while backpacking in India.
THE grief-stricken family of an Island man found dead in India have been told it could be months before his body can be flown home.
John Matthews, of Atherley Road, Shanklin, was found dead in Goa on March 29, while on a 90-day backpacking holiday.
It is thought he was out celebrating his 49th birthday, when his body was found on a beach.
His brother, David Matthews, who lives in Luton, has been told it could cost the family thousands of pounds to fly John’s body home, if they don’t wait for the results of a toxicology report, expected to take up to two years.
David said: "We have been told it is going to cost us more than £3,000 to fly John’s body back to the UK, because the Indian government is waiting for results of a toxicology report.
"It is money I do not have and the price is rising every day he is out there.
"John took out two lots of insurance before he went but now we are being told they won’t pay to fly his body back until the toxicology reports come back, which we are told, could take up to two years."
He continued: "I have phoned several charities but it seems like no-one wants to help.
"It is a horrible time at the moment and my mother, who is in her 80s, is finding it very hard.
"I just don’t know what we are going to do. It feels like we can’t grieve until John is back in the country."
His brother, Jason Matthews, added: "I can’t believe the situation we are in.
"We just want John’s body flown back so we can lay him to rest."
It is thought a friend, who John travelled to Goa with, was due to fly back to Britain this week.
Reporter: jamiew@iwcpmail.co.uk