Body found in search for Belfast father missing in Spain as murder probe launched - John George was reported missing after he failed to board his flight to return home for Christmas

Discovery of body on Tuesday afternoon ends weeks of searching in Spain for missing Belfast man feared lured to his death on the Costa Blanca

A body found by Spanish police is believed to be that of missing Belfast man John George. A solicitor representing the family said that Billy George, the victim’s father, contacted him from Spain shortly after 5pm on Tuesday after the Cuerpo de la Guardia Civil confirmed that a body had been located.

The discovery of a body in Spain believed to be that of John George ends an “extremely tortuous search process”, a statement issued on behalf of his family said. The 37-year-old west Belfast man had been holidaying in Alicante and was last in touch with his family on December 14.

Search efforts enter their third week to find a Belfast man who is currently missing in Spain. John Hardy, also known as John George, was last in touch with his family on 14 December, when he drove from Alicante to Benidorm. Mr Hardy's father Billy George, who has travelled to Spain, has said he believes his son is dead.

A body of a man found in Spain is believed to be that of missing Belfast man, John Hardy, also known as John George. The BBC understands that the family of the missing father of two received a call from the Cuerpo de la Guardia Civil around 17:00 GMT to tell them a body was located.