Young evangelical missing in Northern Spain found dead, Evangelical Focus

The body of Juan Víctor, a 19-year-old Christian man who went missing on March 30 while kayaking on the Miño River in northern Spain, was found this Wednesday after nearly a month of intensive searching.

According to the Spanish Civil Guard, the body was spotted by drones from the regional emergency services around 4:45 p.m., floating in the water about 363 meters upstream from the dam and on the opposite bank from where the kayak was found.

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Specialists from the Special Underwater Activities Group (GEAS) were responsible for recovering the body.

Juan Víctor had gone kayaking with his cousin from a nearby dock. After paddling several kilometres upstream, they were heading back when a gust of wind capsized the kayak.

His cousin managed to get out of the water, despite the steep terrain, and ask for help from someone in the area, who alerted the emergency services.

Despite a large-scale search operation over several weeks, which included specialised teams and intensive efforts, the young man was not found until 22 April.

During this time, the family of Juan Víctor received numerous expressions of support. The Buenas Noticias (Good News) evangelical church of Lugo, to which he belonged, held prayer meetings near the dam and in the city.

Support rallies were also held at Lucus Augusti high school, where the young man had studied, reflecting the impact his disappearance have had on his inner circle.

Beyond the tragedy, those who knew Juan Víctor describe him as a young man who was deeply committed to his faith and to the people around him.

According to his pastor, Marcos Zapata, he was “a natural spiritual leader who was loved by everyone”, both at church and at school. He was an active youth leader and didn’t hesitate to share his faith “with courage”.

Numerous testimonies about his impact on others began to emerge in the days following his disappearance. One example was a fundraising initiative he had led at his school to raise money for a multiple sclerosis association.

Classmates also highlighted his approachable and committed nature, recalling how he accompanied a young woman who was being bullied, to ensure she got home safely.

“He didn’t boast about these things; he did them because he believed they were the right thing to do”, stresses his pastor.

The family has faced the past few weeks with a faith that has impacted those around them.

During the search, the church held daily prayer meetings attended by many people, including non-believers who came to offer their support.

One particularly significant moment was the testimony of Juan Victor’s mother, who spoke of her trust in God amid her suffering.

She recalled that the favourite verse of her son was Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain”, and she expressed her desire to rest in God’s will.

“When a mother can say something like this in the midst of this situation, you realise that her faith is not a mere trifle”, points out Zapata.