Seth Martin: Missing Man's Family Still Believes He's Alive

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

Spanish national Seth Martin, 31, was last seen on February 24 and North Yorkshire Police believe he entered the River Ouse, where they carried out an extensive search.

Mr Martin's family and friends dispute he entered the river and have called on the Spanish government to help with the investigation ahead of protests later this month.

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

Ms Simo said doubts had been raised after some of Mr Martin's belongings were found 30 minutes' walk from where a man believed to be him was seen “dancing and singing” in the river before disappear underwater.

“They don’t have any conclusive evidence,” she added.

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

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

Detective Inspector Carol Kirk of North Yorkshire Police said her investigation found no evidence of third party involvement and that “all information gathered” suggested Mr Martin had entered the river .

She added: “We have also carried out detailed surveys which we believe would detect any daily activity if Seth was not in the river.”

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

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

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

“They are destroyed, they don’t know what to do anymore,” she added.

“They have asked for help everywhere, they are desperate.”

When asked if her family still believed he was alive, she replied: “Hope is the last thing to lose. There is hope that he is alive.”

Detective Inspector Kirk said officers “continue to carry out periodic searches in the hope that we can provide new information or bring closure to Seth’s loved ones”.

The family organized three protests on June 22 in front of 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 to Seth. They should have at least a moral obligation to send aid to help the York Police.”

Although it is common for foreign authorities to contact local police forces regarding a missing foreign national, investigations are usually carried out locally.

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