The body of John George was found on Spain’s Costa Blanca after he failed to get in touch with anyone in his family since December 14 leading to a widespread effort to find him
A lawyer representing the family of a man who was allegedly killed in Benidorm has issued an update after the victim was formally identified.
John George, also known as John Hardy, from Belfast, was reported missing on December 18 after he failed to return home after traveling to Alicante on Spain’s Costa Blanca. He had not been in contact with his family since December 14 when he was driving from Alicante to Benidorm.
Following weeks of searching involving teams from Northern Ireland and more than 50 friends and family, Spanish police notified them that John’s body had been found in Torrevieja about 45 minutes south of Alicante on Tuesday.
Family solicitor Kevin Winters told Mirror affiliate BelfastLive that eyes were now on Spanish police who are questioning a man who was arrested a short time after the body was found. He added: “The family are sitting waiting and hoping that something comes of that [arrest] and in the meantime, Spanish police will not release any details, and we wouldn’t expect them to release any details of that detention.
“That would be the same here if it was happening in this jurisdiction where you’re not going to get any information, that’s just simply not going to happen, it’s not feasible. As I understand it, the body has been formally identified. There are autopsy reports, but the family are of the view that it can take anything up to 10 days to two weeks for John’s remains to be returned home.”
Mr Winters said family is waiting to hear further information from police about the extension period that Spanish police were granted to further question the man who was arrested and if he is to be formally charged. The lawyer added: “A lot of things are going to turn on the outworkings of this detention today and by this time tomorrow we’ll probably have a better idea of where things are.”
It is believed a bank card belonging to John had been handed in to a bar about 11 miles from where his body was found but it is unclear whether this is tied directly to the investigation. Mr Winters added: “As things stand, the family would like to get a bit more detail on how John died. That has notbeen divulged yet, but as soon as the autopsy is done, we expect to get some detail on specifically how John was killed, and we should have that anytime within the next week.”
John’s father Billy said he was both happy and sad at the news his son’s body had been found. He previously told the BBC: “It has been horrendous, a nightmare. Every morning was a disaster, getting up, ‘where do we go’, it’s a needle in a haystack but we came out to get John.
“We’ve got John, we’re bringing him back home where he belongs. Christmas Day, people were unwrapping their presents, having their Christmas dinner, cheering and laughing.
Me and my wife, two daughters and a brother, standing in the middle of a field searching for their brother, crying, horrendous. I knew John was dead. John rung me six/seven times every day, doing my head in, every day he rung me.
“On the Sunday, I knew there was something wrong, I didn’t hear from him. I knew there was something up. He was a melter but he was my melter.”
Mr George said it was his prioroty to get his son’s body home. He continued: “I’ll never be able to repay the people back home for what they have done for me and my family, the support of both communities, vigils, protests, donations, absolutely can never repay these people, and from the George family and the Hardy family, thank you very much.”
