Two Welsh families are grappling with the aftermath of devastating tragedies—one still searching for answers, the other coming to terms with a brutal crime that has shaken their community. In the span of a year, the deaths of Nathan Osman and Jamie Gawler have brought into sharp relief the pain, frustration, and resilience that follow in the wake of sudden loss, while highlighting the complexities of international investigations and the horrors of hate-fueled violence.
In September 2024, Nathan Osman, a 30-year-old father of four from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, set off for a holiday in Benidorm, Spain, hoping for a brief respite with friends. Less than 24 hours after his arrival, the trip took a tragic turn: Nathan’s body was discovered at the foot of a cliff on the city’s outskirts. According to The Mirror, Spanish police initially closed their homicide investigation, ruling the death accidental. But Nathan’s family, unconvinced, pressed authorities to reconsider, citing what they believed were overlooked signs of foul play.
“There’s been zero investigation on their part,” Nathan’s brother, Lee Evans, told the BBC. The family’s dissatisfaction prompted Spanish authorities to reopen the case in May 2025, only for it to be closed again after police concluded, once more, that Nathan’s death was accidental. The Osman's family, however, remains adamant that critical evidence points to a different story—one of robbery and possible abduction.
They believe Nathan may have been targeted while walking alone to his hotel, robbed, and taken to the remote spot where his body was found. Their suspicions are fueled by reports that attempts were made to use Nathan’s bank card after his death and that his movements should have been captured by CCTV cameras in the area. Despite these concerns, Spanish police have stood by their assessment, leaving the Osman family feeling abandoned and unheard.
“We need help,” Lee Evans said, echoing the family’s sense of isolation as the first anniversary of Nathan’s death approaches. The pain is compounded by the sense that Nathan “hasn’t been given any thought or justice.” The family is now preparing for a difficult milestone, determined to keep fighting for answers and justice. They have also reached out to other families who have lost loved ones abroad under similarly murky circumstances, seeking solidarity and support as they consider additional legal avenues.
While the Osman's struggle for closure continues, another Welsh family has found some measure of justice, though at an unimaginable cost. The murder of 54-year-old Jamie Gawler in Hereford was a crime of shocking cruelty and hate. Matthew Jonathan, 39, of no fixed abode, befriended Jamie just a month before the killing. Jamie, known for his kindness, had offered Jonathan a place to stay. That act of generosity would prove fatal.
According to West Mercia Police, Jamie was last seen on CCTV just after midnight on January 12, 2025, buying items at a garage. By that evening, he had become the victim of a prolonged and vicious assault inside his own home. Over several days, Jonathan tortured Jamie, filming the abuse on his mobile phone and directing obscene homophobic slurs at his incapacitated victim. The brutality was so severe that Jamie was left unable to call for help, while Jonathan used his bank cards and, chillingly, recorded himself bragging about his willingness to serve a long prison sentence for his actions.
The case came to light when Jamie’s brother tried to reach him by phone on January 18, only to have the call answered by a South Wales Police officer. The phone, along with bank cards belonging to both Jamie and Jonathan, had been found earlier that day at Porth railway station in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Jamie’s brother, alarmed, went to Jamie’s flat, where he discovered his brother’s body.
A murder investigation swiftly followed. Tracing Jonathan’s movements, police learned he had fled by train to Cardiff with a friend, alighting at Porth before being arrested outside Square’s nightclub. Despite initially denying involvement, Jonathan ultimately admitted to the murder. On September 12, 2025, at Worcester Crown Court, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 32 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Lougher of West Mercia Police’s major investigation unit welcomed the sentence, stating, “He will now serve a significant period of time in prison and whilst it will never bring Jamie back to his loved ones, hopefully it will bring some closure towards being an unimaginably difficult time for them.” Lougher also praised the efforts of the investigation team, noting the “extremely difficult circumstances” they navigated to bring the case to justice.
Kate Seal, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, condemned the crime as a “despicable” act. “Jonathan subjected Jamie to prolonged violence over several days. At times he left Jamie alone, seriously injured, and unable to call for help whilst he went to buy alcohol with Jamie’s money. He had the audacity to video his brutal violence and showed no mercy, even as Jamie pleaded for his mother. In one of the recordings, he bragged that he was willing to do a lengthy prison sentence for this offence which showed his complete disregard for Jamie’s life.”
The Gawler family, still reeling from their loss, issued a heartfelt tribute: “Our lives have been changed forever and today has been another difficult day having to revisit what happened, but we are glad that some justice has been achieved. Jamie will be forever in our hearts and remembered as the kind, funny and gentle man that he was.” They also expressed gratitude to the police and prosecution teams for their dedication and support throughout the ordeal.
For the Osman family, however, the pursuit of justice is far from over. Their experience underscores the difficulties families face when tragedy strikes abroad—navigating foreign legal systems, language barriers, and, often, a lack of clear communication. As the first anniversary of Nathan’s death draws near, the family’s resolve remains unshaken. “We would not give up our fight,” Lee Evans insisted, determined to seek the truth about what happened to his brother.
Both cases—one marked by unanswered questions, the other by a brutal resolution—highlight the profound impact of violent loss and the challenges families face in their search for justice and closure. Whether through persistence in the face of institutional roadblocks or the strength to endure the harrowing details of a loved one’s final days, these Welsh families are united by their grief and their unwavering commitment to honor those they have lost.
