Spanish police have made an arrest after finding a ‘decomposing’ body believed to be that of missing Belfast man John George on the Costa Blanca today.
John George, also known as John Hardy, had been holidaying in Alicante and was last in touch with his family on December 14.
The 37-year-old was reported missing four days later after he failed to board his flight home to Northern Ireland.
In a statement released on his family’s behalf, law firm KRW Law said George’s father contacted them to say Spanish police believe his son’s remains have been found and that a murder investigation as been launched.
The firm added that the discovery of the body ends ‘an extremely tortuous search process.’
A source close to the ongoing inquiry said the man’s body had been found in Rojales near Torrevieja and around 45 minutes drive south of Alicante. A post-mortem is due to take place in the coming hours.
The same source said a man whose identity and nationality has not yet been disclosed had been arrested shortly after the gruesome discovery.
KRW Law said: ‘Mr Billy George was told that his son’s body was now in a morgue awaiting formal identification.
John Hardy was first reported missing after he failed to board his flight home on December 18
John George (left), also known as John Hardy, had been holidaying in Alicante and was last in touch with his family on December 14. His family believe the father-of-two is dead. His brother, Darren (right), is in Alicante helping in the search
‘The family are both distressed but also relieved at this latest news. It brings to an end an extremely tortuous search process for the body.
‘The family want to thank all who have helped and supported them over the last number of days.
‘They now respectfully ask for some privacy to allow them both time and space to engage on the next harrowing stages on what is now a formalised murder investigation.’
The missing man’s brother, Darren, flew to Alicante to help in the search with their parents, Billy and Sharon, and sisters, Courtney and Caitlin, along with up to 50 friends and wider family from Northern Ireland.
Members from K9 Search And Rescue NI, a volunteer canine search team, joined the wide-scale operation to find Mr George and officers from the PSNI are liaising with the family and authorities in Spain.
Darren said before the discovery of the body: ‘This isn’t going to stop and certainly we’re not going to go away until we get John’s body. We get John’s body, we’re on the next flight out of here. Somebody has answers and we will not leave Spain without John’s body.’
He added: ‘John was happy-go-lucky guy. John would have rang you at any time of the day or night. So when we didn’t get the phone call from John within two days, we knew something was wrong.
‘He was a very good boxer when he was younger, and was an all-Ireland champion. He’s a normal, average guy.
‘Don’t get me wrong, John had his troubles: John was a drug addict, it took over John’s life.’
Siblings Darren, Courtney, Caitlyn and John George (right) are pictured above
Darren George said his two young nephews are asking for their father (right). ‘John would never have missed Christmas with his boys,’ he added
John’s family have shared how they have been ‘ripped to pieces’ following his disappearance
Darren George also spoke of his anger at what he said is ‘people taking pleasure’ in his family’s suffering after malicious comments were posted online about his brother.
He also rejected claims his family are under death threats from paramilitaries in Northern Ireland.
Members of the K9 team travelled back to Northern Ireland on Sunday following a five-day search in the Alicante region. Seven search technicians and their Labrador retriever Rocko had taken part in the operation.
Team member Gabriel Walker said they were joined by a Portuguese-based search and rescue team, including their dog Lobo.
A spokesman for the PSNI said: ‘Following a report to the Police Service of Northern Ireland on Wednesday December 18 that a 37-year-old man from Belfast, holidaying in Spain, was missing, the Police Service of Northern Ireland have been liaising closely with the missing man’s family and other law enforcement agencies.
‘Dedicated family liaison officers have been appointed to provide support to the family at this time.
‘While the investigation must be progressed by Spanish police, the PSNI have made an offer of assistance to police in Spain and will assist with any local enquiries as requested by them.
‘We would ask anyone who believes they may have information which could assist the Spanish investigation team with their investigation to contact us on 101.’
