Czech ex-soldier linked to Irish murder investigation shot dead in Torrevieja

A Czech citizen and former soldier identified as Michael M. was shot dead during the early hours of March 1 in the Punta Prima area of Torrevieja. The man was under judicial investigation in connection with the murder of a Northern Irish citizen in the south of Alicante province.

According to initial reports, the victim suffered gunshot wounds and was found around 1:30 a.m. on a street in the Rocío del Mar area. A local resident raised the alarm after spotting a man with a serious head injury.

Emergency services attempted to resuscitate him but were unable to save his life. The investigation is being carried out by the Guardia Civil, and the Investigating Court No. 2 of Torrevieja has placed the case under secrecy. No arrests have been reported so far.

The Czech man had been linked to the case of the murder of John George, a 37-year-old man from Belfast.

The case began in December 2024, when the Irish citizen disappeared while staying in Orihuela Costa. After several weeks of searching, his body was discovered in January 2025 in a rural area of Rojales, hidden in a lemon grove.

According to investigators, the victim had been brutally beaten, stabbed and later shot. Authorities believe the crime was premeditated and may have been connected to organised criminal activity.

Michael M. was arrested in January 2025 as a suspected accomplice in the crime. Investigators believed he may have helped the perpetrators, taken part in hiding the body or maintained contact with the main suspect. The Czech citizen denied any involvement.

He was later released on bail but remained under investigation. As part of the conditions, he had to surrender his passport, remain in Spain and regularly report to the court. He was living in Alicante province while awaiting trial.

The main suspect in the murder of the Northern Irish man is Jonny Smyth, also from Northern Ireland. He was arrested in Portugal and later extradited to Spain. He was subsequently released on bail of around €100,000 while awaiting trial.

The investigation into the Irish citizen’s murder remains ongoing.

The killing of the Czech suspect could represent a new episode in a chain of crimes connected to the case. Investigators have not confirmed whether the shooting is directly linked to the John George murder, although the possibility of a revenge attack or the elimination of a witness has not been ruled out.

The southern part of Alicante province — including Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar and Rojales — has appeared in several investigations into international crime in recent years. The presence of large expatriate communities, tourism and transnational criminal networks has contributed to this situation.

Law enforcement agencies regularly conduct operations against drug trafficking, international fraud networks and organised crime groups. In most cases these crimes are not directed at local residents, but they do lead to increased police attention in the area.

The investigation into the shooting in Torrevieja is ongoing.