The search for missing Nicolas Ladino has reached a tragic end in Marbella following the discovery of his body.
The much-loved 28-year-old had been missing from November 10, before the SOS Desaparecidos organisation confirmed his corpse was found on Thursday.
The missing appeal has been officially deactivated.
Ladino, originally from Colombia, was well known locally due to his job at a Marbella churro shop.
His parents had travelled from Colombia during the search, and have now begun raising funds to cover funeral arrangements and cremation.
Although formal identification by police is still pending, all indications suggest the body found in the Los Monjes hiking trail on Thursday corresponds to Ladino.
According to the Policia Nacional, the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition and located in a steep, hard-to-reach area near the Mina de Buenavista.
The discovery was made at around 6pm by a hiker, who immediately alerted emergency services.
Police have not yet disclosed whether the body showed signs of violence. The investigation continues.
Read more Costa del Sol news at the Spanish Eye.
