A body has been found in Spain twenty four days after a West Belfast man was first reported missing.
John George, also known as John Hardy, from the Twinbrook area, was reported missing after he missed his flight home from Alicante on December 18.
On Tuesday, January 7, after weeks of searches involving search teams from Northern Ireland, and over 50 friends and family from home, a body believed to be the 37-year-old has been found in Spain.
Read more: Arrest made after remains found in search for Belfast dad-of-two
Read more: John George: Official family statement issued as formal murder probe launched
Later on Tuesday evening, it was reported that a man was arrested after the discovery of the body. Police can hold the man they have in custody for up to 72 hours before handing him over to an investigating judge for further questioning.
Timeline of John George disappearance and searches
Early December: John Hardy flies from Belfast to Alicante for a holiday.
December 14: John has his last phone call with family, in which he was reportedly "distressed." He is due to travel from Alicante to Benidorm by car.
December 18: The 37-year-old is due to fly from Alicante to Belfast to join loved ones at home for Christmas, but does not board his flight.
December 21: John's dad, Billy George, flies out to Alicante to search for his son.
December 22: A fundraising page is set up by the family to help bring loves ones to join the search, and provide resources for search teams.
December 25: Family members spend Christmas day searching the area John is believed to have been last seen. In a video message, his dad says: "I need locals to come help us find our son before it’s too late. I just need him home. Please, somebody tell us where he is.”
December 28: John's brother, Darren, speaks to Belfast Live and says they have been "ripped to pieces" and they are "very much stuck in limbo" amid searches.
December 30: The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirm they are liaising with John's family, and said they would assist Spanish police with any local enquiries as requested.
January 1: A search and rescue team from Northern Ireland fly out to Spain to assist searches.
January 3: PSNI open public portal for information as searches in Spain continue.
January 4: John's sister, Courtney, tells Spanish media the family believe he was shot dead by a "friend" who may have already left the country.
January 5: John's brother, Darren, issues a further media appeal saying "someone knows where John's body is".
January 6: Search team K9 Search and Rescue NI return home from Spain after almost a week of searches.
January 7: A body is found during searches for John George. His family received a call from Cuerpo de la Guardia Civil just before 5pm UK time saying they had located a body in Rojales near Torrevieja and around 45 minutes drive south of Alicante.
A solicitor acting on behalf of John's family, Kevin Winters, issues an official statement on their behalf. The statement said: "The family are both distressed, but also relieved at this latest news. It brings to an end an extremely tortuous search process for the body."
An arrest is made in Spain following the discovery of a body. It's believed the man is a 32-year-old from Eastern Europe. Police sources said their investigation remained open and they hadn’t ruled out further arrests.
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