Spanish Police Say Murder Probe into John George Case Closed After Suspect Arrests

The Spanish authorities have completed their inquiry into the killing of Belfast resident John George after apprehending two individuals suspected in the case.

On Thursday night, Spain’s Civil Guard issued a statement indicating that evidence from witness accounts suggested the 32-year-old individual, who goes by the alias John Hardy, was seen in the presence of the two persons of interest on December 14—the same day he last communicated with his father.

Mr. George, a father of two from western Belfast, was declared missing by his family in December when he was on vacation in the Alicante area.

His remains were found on January 7 in a secluded lemon orchard close to the town of Rojales.

A 32-year-old man from the Czech Republic was apprehended by Spanish authorities for suspected murder and subsequently freed on bail. Meanwhile, 27-year-old Jonny Smyth from Belfast was handed over to Spanish officials following his arrest in relation to Mr. George’s death in Portugal back in March.

The Civil Guard stated in their announcement that their inquiry was completed subsequent to the detainments.

Before finding Mr. George’s body in Rojales, where they believed the crime might have taken place, officials had already pinpointed two individuals as potential murderers.

Their inquiry started on December 21 when they received contact from Mr. George’s father, informing them that he hadn’t heard from his son since December 14.

They said that following the report from Mr George’ father the force began “reconstructing what might have happened, starting from the moment the missing young man arrived in Spain on December 6...locating the people who had contact with him since that day and gathering witness statements”.

They went on to say: "The testimonies indicated that around the time when the victim last communicated with his father, he was seen in the presence of two individuals who were later identified as the primary suspects in his vanishing. This disappearance was considered involuntary by the Civil Guard at that point."

Following this, investigators embarked on an unrelenting search to find evidence that could help them identify those involved and crack the case.

The Civil Guard spokesman stated that the initial suspect was apprehended in Torrevieja mere hours after Mr. George’s body was found.

He faced the court in Torrevieja and was subsequently granted release on bail, subject to certain conditions such as not being allowed to leave the country.

“The Civil Guard kept working on tracking down the second suspect,” stated the spokesperson.

They mentioned that the suspect "had quickly left the country, along with his companion, leaving behind two dogs at his residence in Spain."

He was ultimately found in Portugal on March 25 with the assistance of Interpol and apprehended.

According to the Civil Guard’s statement, an autopsy indicated that Mr. George passed away on the evening of December 14 due to gunshots.

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