It is a sad fact that many searches for missing persons turn up tragic results, which is the case with the disappearance of José David Ruiz Hierrezuelo from Vélez-Málaga.

The 52-year-old man had gone missing on the 24th of last month and after over a week of extensive searches being carried out, they ended on Monday with the discovery of his body at the bottom of a well shaft.

He had gone out to walk their three dogs near his home, two of which returned home without him, immediately raising the alarm at home.

Family and friends had participated in the search operations, together with officers belonging to the Policía Nacional and the Guardia Civil over eight days. The Vélez-Málaga, Policía Local also helped out.

The third dog was found at the bottom of the shaft with the body of its master. The dog was still alive.

The provincial fire service was called in to recover the body from the bottom of the shaft (some 11 metres in depth) which took several hours as it was a complicated task.

For the Policía Nacional who are investigating the death their first hypothesis is that the dog fell in and David tried to rescue it and fell in himself.

Locals from Velez-Málaga have criticised on social media the fact that the well or shaft, which is on private land, was not covered over or marked out to warn people of its presence. The vertical shaft is in an area that is a favourite spot for dog walkers

(News: Vélez-Málaga, Axarquia, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Andalucia)

Keywords: Open Well, Uncovered, Body, Out Walking Dog, Missing Person

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Reader’s comment: “This happened to a friend of mine. He was 39/years old. Such a tragic loss of life. A campaign was set up to get the well covered, which the council did. But this happens too often.” – Melanie Briggs Kidd