The sister of a missing Belfast man said she believes he was killed by a “friend” in Spain who may have already left the country.
Courtney George has travelled to Alicante with groups from Northern Ireland to help search for her brother John George, also known as John Hardy, who has been missing in the country since before Christmas.
John’s family believe he was shot dead and his body has been hidden. Police in Spain are still treating the case as a missing persons investigation.
Read more: Update on Belfast man missing in Spain for two weeks
Read more: NI search and rescue team join hunt for missing Belfast man in Spain
“His friend is the main suspect. He is not a good person, he was dangerous. We have no proof, but we believe it was him,” Courtney said in an interview with Spanish media.
“He is not cooperating with the investigation, we do not know where he is, and he says he knows nothing.”
Searches for the missing 37-year-old continue in the areas of Alicante, Benidorm, and Torrevieja. John was last in touch with his family on December 14 when he drove from Alicante to Benidorm.
The alarm was raised on December 18 when he missed his flight home to spend Christmas with his kids. His mobile phone has been off since December 14, prompting his family and friends to travel to the holiday hotspot in search of him.
A missing person poster calling for information relating to John George’s location
Earlier this week, search teams from Northern Ireland travelled to Spain in the search for the missing West Belfast man. A team from K9 Search and Rescue arrived in Alicante on Wednesday, January 1.
Posting on social media, a spokesperson for K9 Search & Rescue NI 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.”
In an emotional video posted on Facebook on New Year’s Day, John’s father, Billy, said: “Still no joy with John. 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 said they are also continuing to liaise with the family. The PSNI has “made an offer of assistance to police in Spain” as officers there continue to investigate John’s disappearance, and said they “will assist with any local enquiries as requested” by Spanish investigators.
The PSNI have now opened up a public portal for any information on the case. A police spokesperson said: “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.
The QR code for the PSNI’s Major Incident Public Portal
(Image: PSNI)
“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.”
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