The mother of a teenager who was laid to rest without his heart is appealing for her son to be remembered following his tragic death overseas.
Harry Begg, aged 19, lost his life in a reported hit-and-run incident in Tenerife on December 1, 2025. Prior to Harry’s funeral, Spanish authorities informed his mother, Nicola Gardner, that his body had been repatriated to the UK without his heart, citing the need for additional examinations. Nicola, a resident of Liverpool, disclosed that Spanish law enforcement had initiated a probe into her son’s passing.
Harry, hailing from Kirkby, was riding an electric bike in Arona, located in the south of the island, when he was allegedly struck by a driver who fled the scene without aiding the 19-year-old.
Tragically, the British youth sustained severe head injuries and was pronounced deceased at the site. Harry had departed Liverpool for the Spanish destination 18 months before his untimely demise.
Expressing her grief, Nicola emphasized, “I want to ensure Harry’s memory endures. He was unforgettable, and I firmly believe that.” Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, she voiced her frustration over the three-week delay in repatriating her son’s body to the UK post his demise.
The coroner’s office for Liverpool and Wirral was notified of Harry’s passing on New Year’s Eve, 30 days after the incident. Allegedly, his funeral occurred at All Saint’s Church in Anfield on January 6, with the burial postponed by two days due to challenges in obtaining paperwork from Spanish authorities.
Questioning the circumstances, Nicola demanded answers regarding the extended custody of Harry’s body by the Spanish coroner and the retention of his heart. She remarked, “It was a head injury. I could understand if they had retained his brain, but keeping his heart is perplexing.”
According to the Echo, a Spanish investigator informed Nicola that Harry’s heart is being preserved for further examination due to the criminal nature of his demise.
Harry was the youngest among his siblings, having passed away a few weeks before his 20th birthday. His brothers, Thomas, Ted, and Nicholas, aged 21, 25, and 27 respectively, are devastated by the loss. Nicola shared, “Thomas and Harry were inseparable. They were always together. Thomas is shattered.”
Nicola had not met Harry since he relocated to Tenerife 18 months before his passing. Recounting their last conversation, she recalled, “He mentioned how quickly I could join him if I had a passport. I rushed to obtain one. When I first arrived, I was denied access to him without a translator, leaving me in the dark.”
Expressing her anguish, Nicola said, “I don’t think I will ever be okay again. It’s hard to comprehend. Someone out there knows the truth.”