A RHYL apprentice described as the “life and soul of party” has been killed while on holiday in Tenerife.

Michael Lewis, 23 and known as Liam Boland or ‘Brillo’ to his friends, died on Thursday, August 22 at the University Hospital Nuestra Senora de La Candelaria in Santa Cruz after being attacked in a street.

Two men are being held in custody by the island’s authorities in connection with the attack on Tuesday 20, and are understood by the family to be food vendors in the area.

Speaking to The Journal, Michael’s aunt Karen Hughes said: “Michael was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and now has been taken away from his family.

“We still don’t know why he was attacked, but we know he was attacked randomly in the street when he went to get some food.

“The British Consulate have told us that the two men involved have been remanded in custody without bail on charges of homicide, and that one of them was the proprietor of a kebab stand. what happened, “Word’s can’t describe what’s happened. He didn’t have a bad bone in his body, he was always the person to step back and walk away.

“There’s nothing bad to say about him, he was the life and soul of the party and was so funny. It’s a total waste of a life.”

Following the news of Michaels death, tributes have poured in via social media.

A former pupil of Rhyl High, Michael studied joinery at Llandrillo college before moving to London two years ago after being awarded a scholarship with construction firm Brown & Carroll.

Michael had been staying in the Adeje region of Tenerife on holiday with a group of friends, who are still on the island.

Following the incident Michael’s Rhyl based mother mother Julie Lewis and father Patrick Boland, of London, flew out to be with their son at the hospital, and have since returned home.

Mrs Hughes added: “Although the hospital visiting times are strict, the staff made an exception for Julie and Patrick and have been marvellous.

“They have also been looked after by the British Consulate on Tenerife, who are helping them sort out things with the hospital and the police and have been fantastic.

“Michael still has to be repatriated which a funeral directors on that end are sorting out. Once we know more we will notify his friends when and where the funeral will be.”

A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “Our staff are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Tenerife, and we are liaising with the Spanish police.”

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to help Michael’s family cover the funeral costs, which had raised £1,980 as The Journal went to press. To donate, visit the ‘Liam Michael Lewis (Boland, aka Brillo)’ page on gofundme.com.