A murder investigation has been launched in Spain after the discovery of a body in the search for missing Belfast man John George.
His family received a call from the Cuerpo de la Guardia Civil just before 5pm UK time saying they had located a body.
While formal identification is still to take place, it is understood through clothing and tattoos it is almost certain to be that of Mr George (37), who has been missing since December 14.
However, DNA testing will now take place to formally identify the father-of-two’s remains.
The family are said to be in a distressed state and have asked for some time to process the news as they prepare to bring Mr George back to Northern Ireland for burial.
KRW Law, which is acting for the George family, said relatives hope their “extremely tortuous search process” is over.
“We can confirm the father of Mr George contacted us today shortly after 5pm to confirm Spanish police told him they had recovered his son’s remains.
“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 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.”
His father Billy had previously said he doesn’t want to leave Spain without his son’s body.
“I know I’ll never see his big smile again, but I promised his sons I’d bring him home. I don’t know what I’ll do if I can’t keep that promise,” he had said.
The disappearance of Mr George has dominated news headlines for more than a fortnight.
He had told people that someone he knew was opening a business in Spain and he was going for the “grand opening”.
But he vanished after last speaking to his father on December 14.
Despite being booked on a flight home on December 18, he never boarded the plane.
His family launched an online appeal for information, saying it was very out of character for him not to phone home.
Soon, his family began to fear the worst.
Earlier this week this newspaper reported one of the suspects linked to Mr George’s disappearance made a phone call to the victim’s family, claiming he had been shot and left somewhere between Torrevieja and Benidorm.
The call to relatives of the missing man alleged that a gun was used in the murder of the 37-year-old and taken away by one of the suspects, who said they would “clean it”.
Several suspects have been investigated by Spanish police along with a man from the Czech Republic. All were living in Spain at the time of Mr George’s disappearance.
The two main suspects were said to be blaming each other and refusing to hand over the location of Mr George’s body to either the family or the Spanish authorities.
The PSNI said previously it had been “liaising closely with the missing man’s family and other law enforcement agencies”.
The K9 Search and Rescue NI, a volunteer canine search and rescue team, also travelled to Spain to help with search but returned at the weekend.
More to follow
News Catch Up: Tuesday 7th January