BREAKING John George: Body found in Spain in hunt for missing Belfast man
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A body has been found in Spain and is believed to be that of missing Belfast man John George. The 37-year-old father-of-two, also known as John Hardy, was reported missing on December 18 after failing to catch a flight home from Spain where he had gone to visit friends three weeks earlier. His family had become concerned when his phone went dead on December 14 and in a final phone call he had appeared "distressed".
A major search was launched on the Costa Blanca involving friends and family to try and locate him. Parents Billy and Sharon, brother Darren, and sisters Courtney and Caitlin - along with up to 50 friends and wider family from Northern Ireland - were involved in the wide-scale operation.
Police in Northern Ireland have been aiding their Spanish counterparts with their investigation and had issued appeals for information that could locate Mr George. But just before 5pm UK time today, the family received a call from the Cuerpo de la Guardia Civil saying they had located the body.
Formal identification is due to take place, but it is understood that through clothing and tattoos, the body is almost certain to be that of Mr George, the Belfast Telegraph reported. DNA testing will have to take place to formally identify the remains.
A Spanish police source confirmed that an arrest had been made after the "decomposing" body was found. They said a man, whose identity and nationality has not yet been disclosed, had been arrested shortly after the gruesome discovery. John's young brother Darren previously said the family had been "ripped to pieces" following his disappearance. The missing man's sister Courtney George, 31, who also joined the search, said she believes he was murdered.
