John George murder: Shocking details emerge

Spanish authorities have solved the murder of the Belfast man, John Hardy, also known as John George, who went missing in Spain in December 2024. The main suspect, another Irish national who was arrested in Portugal on 25 March, has been extradited to Spain.

On 21 December 2024, the victim’s father reported his son’s disappearance to the Guardia Civil in Jávea. He had travelled to Spain after being unable to contact his son, who was believed to be in Benidorm visiting friends. Following the complaint, the Guardia Civil began reconstructing the man’s last known movements, starting from his arrival in Spain on 6 December.

The investigation intensified when officers discovered that the suspected perpetrator had fled Spain shortly after the murder, abandoning two dogs at his home. He is believed to have left in the company of his partner in an attempt to evade justice, according to police sources.

The suspect, a 27-year-old Irish national residing in Orihuela, was located by Portuguese police thanks to a European Arrest Warrant issued via INTERPOL. He was extradited on 3 April and, after appearing before the Court of Instruction No. 1 in Badajoz, was remanded in custody without bail. He has a criminal record in his home country.

John George, a 37-year-old man from Belfast, was found dead on 7 January 2025. His body was discovered concealed among trees in a rural area of Rojales, following an intensive search in the area.

The discovery came just two weeks after his father had reported him missing. Only a few hours after the body was found, the Guardia Civil arrested one of the suspects: a 32-year-old Czech national residing in Torrevieja, accused of being an accomplice to the crime.

After appearing before the Court of Instruction No. 2 in Torrevieja, he was released on charges and prohibited from leaving the country as part of precautionary measures.

A post-mortem examination revealed that the victim died on the night of 14 December 2024 from gunshot wounds — the same night he last spoke to his father on the phone.

Witness statements gathered by investigators indicated that the victim had been in the company of two individuals shortly before his disappearance. These individuals became the main suspects in what was treated from the outset as an involuntary disappearance.

A few days after the missing person report was filed, and based on early evidence, both suspects were identified by the authorities. The discovery of the body on 7 January confirmed their suspicions and led to the arrests.

​As of 2025, approximately 14,000 Irish citizens reside in Spain. This makes them the third-largest English-speaking expatriate group in the country. ​

The Guardia Civil considers the investigation closed, with both suspects identified and brought before the courts — one currently in custody and the other under judicial supervision.

Stay tuned with Euro weekly news for the latest news about Europe, Denia and Costa Blanca.