Remains identified as 12-year-old Rami
The body of Rami, the 12-year-old boy with autism who went missing during heavy rains in Granollers, has been identified after being found floating off the coast of Sitges on Wednesday 14 October. The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's regional police, confirmed the identification following forensic examination, ending an 11-day search. Rami had disappeared on Sunday 4 October during intense rainfall that caused flash flooding in Granollers. His disappearance triggered a large-scale search operation involving the Mossos d'Esquadra, Bombers de la Generalitat (Catalan fire and rescue service), and volunteer groups, who combed areas around Granollers and along the Besòs river basin.
Body recovered by maritime unit
A fisherman reported seeing a body in the water on Wednesday afternoon near the Port de Ginesta, close to Les Botigues beach in Sitges. The emergency number 112 was alerted, and the Mossos d'Esquadra’s maritime unit, deployed from Vilanova i la Geltrú, recovered the remains. Initial inspection showed the body was in an advanced state of decomposition and could not be visually identified. However, officers confirmed it was that of a minor, prompting immediate notification to the Investigation Unit (UI) at Granollers police station, which had been leading the missing person inquiry.
The identification paves the way for closure for the family, though it marks a tragic end to the search.
Forensic analysis has now confirmed the remains are those of Rami. Authorities noted that ocean currents could have carried the body from elsewhere along the coast, meaning the location of recovery does not necessarily indicate where the incident occurred.
President expresses condolences
On Thursday morning, 15 October, President of the Generalitat Salvador Illa expressed his condolences to Rami’s family and friends during a public address following a floral tribute at the tomb of Lluís Companys in Barcelona. "I want to extend my condolences and hold a memory for him, his family and friends," he said. The case remains under investigation, though no suspicious circumstances have been reported. The official cause of death will be determined by the post-mortem examination.
Primary sources: Dep. Interior Generalitat Catalunya, govern.cat. Reported by lasexta.com, elcaso.elnacional.cat, ACN, mundodeportivo.com, barcelonapress.com, Redacción digital Informativos Telecinco, doi.org, El Periódico Barcelona.
