Family of missing man believe he is not in river

Seth Martin has been missing since February

The family of a man who went missing in York four months ago still have hope that he is alive, a spokesperson for them has said.

Spanish national Seth Martin, 31, was last seen on 24 February and North Yorkshire Police believe he entered the River Ouse, which they have searched extensively.

Mr Martin's family and friends dispute that he went into the river and have called on the Spanish government to assist the investigation ahead of protests later this month.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Martin's friend Yesenia Simo told the BBC: "We are really sure that he's not in the river. Something else happened to him."

Ms Simo said doubts were raised after some of Mr Martin's belongings were found a 30-minute walk away from where a man thought to be him was seen "dancing and singing" in the river before disappearing under the water.

"They have no conclusive evidence," she added.

Hospitality worker Mr Martin, who had lived in York for two years until his disappearance, "hasn't got any problems with anyone," said Ms Simo.

He lived in the Clifton area of the city and was previously based in London.

Det Ch Insp Carol Kirk from North Yorkshire Police said their investigation found no evidence of any third-party involvement and that "all information gathered" suggested Mr Martin had entered the river.

She added: “We have also carried out detailed enquiries that we believe would detect any day-to-day activities if Seth was not in the river."

Specialist teams have searched in and around the Ouse in a number of locations, including areas some distance from where he was last seen to take into account the river’s currents, geography and water levels at specific times.

Mr Martin was wearing pyjama bottoms when he was last seen.

'They are desperate'

He is one of six siblings and had wanted to move back home to Tenerife where his family is based, said Ms Simo.

"They are destroyed, they don't know what else to do," she added.

"They have asked for help everywhere, they are desperate."

Asked if his family still believed he was alive, she said: "Hope is the last thing to be lost. There's hope that he's alive."

Det Ch Insp Kirk said officers "are continuing to carry out periodic searches in the hope we may be able to provide new information or closure to Seth’s loved ones".

The family have organised three demonstrations on 22 June outside the Spanish embassies in London, Madrid and Tenerife.

"We really need to be heard by the Spanish government," added Ms Simo.

"The Spanish government has an obligation with Seth. They should have a moral obligation at least to send some assistance to help York's police."

Although it is standard practice for overseas authorities to make contact with local police forces about a missing foreign national, investigations are normally led locally.

The BBC has attempted to contact the Spanish government for comment.

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