Body found in Spain believed to be that of missing Belfast man John George

7 January 2025, 17:47 | Updated: 8 January 2025, 15:15

A body believed to be that of missing Belfast man John George has been found in Spain.

The 37-year-old father-of-two, also known as John Hardy, disappeared while holidaying in Alicante.

He was last in touch with his loved ones on 14 December and was reported missing four days later after he failed to board his flight home.

In a statement released on behalf of his family, solicitor firm KRW Law said the discovery of a body ends "an extremely tortuous search process".

The firm said Mr George's father contacted them shortly after 5pm on Tuesday to say that Spanish police believe they have found his son's remains.

A murder investigation has been launched.

KRW Law added: "Mr Billy George was told that his son's body was now in a morgue awaiting formal identification.

"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."

Mr George's family had flown over to Alicante to help with search efforts, with his brother Darren George saying on Sunday they would not leave Spain without John's body.

He said at the time: "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."

Police in Northern Ireland had been aiding their Spanish counterparts with their investigation and issued appeals for information that could locate Mr George.

Darren also described his brother as a "happy-go-lucky guy", who was a champion boxer when he was younger.

He said: "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."

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Darren said his sibling was a "normal, average guy" but he also had his "troubles," adding: "John was a drug addict, it took over John's life."

Despite his issues, Darren said his brother would "never have missed Christmas with his boys".

(c) Sky News 2025: Body found in Spain believed to be that of missing Belfast man John George