Man's Benidorm death now a murder probe, say family

BBC News

15-05-2025

The death of a man whose body was found while on holiday in Spain is being treated as a potential homicide, according to his family.Nathan Osman, 30, from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was found at the foot of a remote cliff on the outskirts of Benidorm less than 24 hours after he arrived on holiday with friends in September 2024.His family were not satisfied with the initial response by the Spanish police and carried out their own investigation.After flying to the Spanish resort and presenting their findings to the chief prosecutor, the case has been reopened, they said.
Lee Evans, Nathan's brother, said the prosecutor told them "we strongly believe foul play is involved and we are treating it as a potential homicide".He added: "They said they will look at all the evidence and your dossier and we have no reason to believe whatsoever that it was accidental or suicide."Initially, the family said there was no investigation into Nathan's death and the case was closed within hours.
Nathan vanished while walking back to his hotel and his body was found by an off-duty police officer on a water bike the next day.Lee and his sister Alannah found CCTV showing Nathan walking in the direction of his hotel without appearing drunk."He looked fine, he was relaxed," Mr Evans said.He had been talking on a video call with a friend until his phone battery ran out and his family believe he was abducted and robbed because attempts were made to use his bank cards the day after his death.The area where he was found is remote and difficult to reach, they argue, adding he would not have walked there.Pontypridd MP Alex Davies Jones has supported the family and paid tribute to Nathan in the House of Commons this week in a debate about the support for families of British nationals murdered abroad.The MP, who is also under secretary of state in the Ministry of Justice, said the Spanish police had "ruled Nathan's death as accidental and closed his case with little investigation or support".She added that she hoped re-opening of the case would "bring closure for the Osman family".Mr Evans said the head prosecutor in Spain "showed compassion, she was literally crying with my sister – she had tears in her eyes".He added that she was frustrated at the fact that he and his sister had to carry out their own investigation, looking at his toxicology report and post-mortem examination.He added: "She can take away the thought of it being a suicide or accidental straight away because of the distance where he was found, the remote area and the bank cards being used the following day."She was really compassionate, we feel we can trust her – and she will do everything in her power to keep trying to find justice."