The sister of a man who vanished during a holiday to Spain has shared her chilling theory on what happened to him. John George, who is also known as John Hardy, was due to return to Belfast before Christmas but failed to make his flight home.
In the days since, his sister Courtney George and many others have travelled Spain to try and find him. A search for the missing 37-year-old was launched in the Alicante, Benidorm and Torrevieja regions after he missed a flight home on December 18 to spend the festive period with his children.
Family last heard from the dad on December 14 when he was driving from Alicante to Benidorm. Since then, his phone has been switched off and loved ones have frantically booked flights to the country to help search for him.
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And now, his sister has claimed that he could be dead, The Mirror reports. Search teams from Northern Ireland, including a K9 Search and Rescue squad, travelled out to Spain to undergo a search on New Year’s Day to help with the search.
A spokesman for the group said: “Seven of our team and one K9 are on their way to Alicante, Spain from various airports, in the search for a missing man from Northern Ireland. We will join Evolsar colleagues from SAR Team, also with a K9. We hope to update you on our progress.”
Courtney added: “Family members, friends and people from Belfast have come who want to help look for his body. We are a big family, and John was well known and loved. We are searching in Alicante, Benidorm and Torrevieja. We only want his body back, that is why we are offering a large reward. We want to go home to bury him and never return to Spain again.”
John’s father Billy posted an emotional tribute on Facebook to update people on the search, concluding there was “still no joy with John”. He said: “This is going on too long. Please I beg you from the bottom of my heart, just give me him back and we’re out of here. I’m staying until I get him. Please just give me my son. That’s all I want, just my son.”
Police in Northern Ireland have confirmed they’re liaising with the family and have offered to help authorities in Spain with their investigation. The PSNI said it “will assist with any local enquiries as requested” by Spanish investigators. A police spokesperson added: “While the investigation must be progressed by Spanish police, the Police Service of Northern Ireland 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. Any photographs or footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with the Police Service of Northern Ireland through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI24T24-PO1 and that information will be forwarded to Spanish Police.
“A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”