The family of a Belfast man, missing presumed murdered in Spain, say the authorities there have told them that they have recovered his body.
John George, 37, also known as John Hardy went missing after travelling to Alicante in mid December.
He was last in touch with his family on 14 December.
The father of two did not catch a scheduled flight home after what was meant to be a short holiday and was reported missing four days later.
His family said he had been murdered and mounted a high profile campaign to have his body returned.
This evening a firm of Belfast solicitors which acts for the family confirmed they had been contacted by the Spanish authorities.
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In a statement KRW Solicitors said Mr George's father had been in touch to confirm that Spanish police had recovered his son's body.
"Mr Billy George was told that his son's body was now in a morgue awaiting formal identification.
"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."
The statement said Mr George's family wanted to thank all those who had supported them in recent days.
Some had travelled to Spain to help with the search.
"They now respectfully ask for some privacy to allow them both time and space to engage on the next harrowing stages in what is now a formalised murder investigation."
Additional reporting: PA
