Police in Spain have said that they have concluded their investigation into the murder of Belfast man John George (main image).
George disappeared in Spain in late 2024. Concerns arose when he failed to board his return flight home on 18 December.
His body was eventually discovered by Spanish police on 7 January, located in a remote lemon grove. He had suffered stab wounds and gunshot injuries to his chest and face. The body was found near Rojales, about 45 minutes south of Alicante.
Jonny Smyth, aged 26, was extradited to Spain earlier this month after being detained in Braga, Portugal, on 25 March. He had been the subject of international arrest warrants issued by Interpol following the disappearance of John George.
A second individual, identified locally as Czech national Michal Maly, remains under investigation as an alleged accomplice and is currently out on bail.
Guardia Civil officers have confirmed they do not anticipate making any further arrests. They disclosed that their evidence indicates the two suspects were with the 37-year-old father of two shortly before his final communication with his father, Billy George.
The police statement further disclosed that the primary suspect had abandoned his two pet dogs and hastily left Spain after George was reported missing.
Spanish authorities have also released fresh video footage showing property searches conducted during their investigation, along with scenes from the orchard where the victim’s body was discovered.
A spokesperson for the Guardia Civil in Alicante stated that the force had ‘completed the investigation’ into John George’s disappearance.
They detailed that George’s body was found ‘in Rojales after an intensive search of the area where they suspected the crime may have occurred’.
‘Before this discovery, officers had already identified two suspects in the murder. One of them was arrested the same day the body was discovered.’
The spokesperson also said George had been ‘in the company of two people who became the main suspects’ around the time he disappeared, leading to a European arrest warrant being issued. This ultimately resulted in Smyth’s arrest in Portugal and his subsequent extradition.
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The main suspect in the John George murder case abandoned his two pet dogs and left Spain “in a hurry” after the Belfast man was reported missing, Spanish police have said.
— Belfast Telegraph (@BelTel) April 24, 2025
Officers announced they have completed their investigation into his murder.https://t.co/nVTPFcYG35
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