The BBC investigation into the murder of John George has identified a man who Spanish police suspected of being involved in the crime.
Jonny Smyth is a 26-year-old Belfast but lives in Spain and is a fugitive on an international arrest warrant.
Michal Maly, 32, is a Czech country and a former member of the French Foreign Legion, who has been linked to the murder.
No one was convicted of murder and the suspects did not respond to a request for comment from the BBC.
John George disappeared in Alicante for 21 days in December before his body was found.
Meanwhile, his family’s search for answers is arousing widespread attention.
“By the way, I love you. I’ll see you soon.”
That was the last thing John George said to his family.
His father, Billy, said John still maintains close relationships with his family, even as his battle with drug addiction has further stolen him into crime.
The 37-year-old disappeared after traveling to Spain for vacation at a friend’s home in December.
Despite weeks of searching, huge interest in the case, and fanatical speculation from real crime lovers, the Georges didn’t find the answer in 21 days.
When John’s body was finally found by police in a lemon wood in Rojales near Alicante, it was obvious that a foul occurred.
He was stabbed and beaten and then killed by gunfire.
BBC Spotlight has been investigating the case for weeks and has found shocking evidence about the criminal world in which John murder took place.
Spotlight: Who killed John George? Will be in BBC iPlayer And on March 11 at 22.40 BBC One Northern Ireland.
John’s body was found in the lemon woods near Alicante [BBC]
Spotlight can reveal that Guardia Civil (Spanish Police Force) led the investigation team believes it knows who was involved in the murder of John George.
Michal Maly was arrested and appeared in court for the murder.
The Spanish court granted him bail under strict conditions.
Jonny Smyth has been appointed on several warrants.
He fled Spain within weeks of the murder and is currently a righteous fugitive.
John George lived at Johnny Smyth’s home in Spain before he was killed.
Colonel Antonio Darder of Guardia Civil is responsible for all investigation teams in the Alicante area, including those of John George Case.
“I want my family to understand that the first day of work was very intense and we managed to find the dead body,” he told Spotlight.
“We have an obvious suspect right now and hope he will be arrested soon. An international arrest warrant has been issued.
“Where he is hiding, we will use all available international mechanisms – Interpol and any other necessary means.
“I believe he will be arrested soon.”
Salute to the location near where John’s body was found [BBC]
Potential evidence is lost
CCTV footage that may have captured the murder was destroyed [BBC]
Spotlight also found that the time spent restoring John’s remains resulted in some potentially vital evidence loss.
CCTV recordings may have captured the murder case, which was erased before police knew where the killing was.
During this time, some people who claimed to be helping their family members while searching for John’s body were laying down false trails.
According to family members, John spent time with him on his day of his disappearance, with a different description of his last known location.
It is true that he was found to be in another town where police were detained or ready to fly home.
John’s father Billy said the person responsible for the son’s murder must be held accountable [BBC]
John’s father, Billy George, said his son was addicted to drugs and his criminality further attracted as the addiction worsened.
The charges related to £30,000 marijuana traction were withdrawn from a court in Belfast in January after the news of John’s death.
Reformed criminal Marvin Herbert knows exactly how dangerous the world of former Spanish crime is.
“Debt collection, drug dealing, beating, shooting, carrying guns. I’m not doing anything there,” he told Spotlight.
“In the end, I was shot five times.”
Marvin has witnessed first-hand how people related to the drug trade see underage criminals like John George.
“The goal. Simple.
“That’s him- because when he’s not here, who will complain? When he’s slapping, who will complain? Like, what should he do?”
“That’s what the criminal thinks. It’s just vicious.”
