The family of Nathan Osman, a 30-year-old father of four from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, is grappling with unanswered questions and mounting frustration as the anniversary of his tragic death approaches. Osman was found dead at the foot of a remote cliff on the outskirts of Benidorm less than 24 hours after arriving in the Spanish resort town for a last-minute holiday with friends on September 27, 2024. Despite the family’s persistent efforts to uncover the truth, Spanish authorities have officially ruled his death an accident—an explanation his loved ones fiercely dispute.
According to reporting by BBC, Osman’s family suspects foul play, believing he was abducted while walking alone to his hotel, robbed, and then taken to the secluded area where his body was discovered. Their suspicions were heightened when attempts were made to use his bank cards the day after his death. The family’s sense of abandonment deepened when Spanish police initially closed the case, concluding there was no evidence of a crime. Osman’s brother, Lee Evans, expressed the family’s dismay, stating, “There’s been zero investigation on their part.”
The events unfolded rapidly. Osman, described as a devoted father, arrived in Benidorm with friends, hoping for a brief respite. He left his friends early on the evening of his arrival, saying he was tired and would return to his hotel. When his friends checked his room the next day, they found his bed hadn’t been slept in. Later that day, an off-duty policeman discovered Osman’s body at the bottom of a 200-meter cliff. The location was remote, far from the bustling heart of Benidorm—a detail that continues to trouble his family.
As reported by ITV News, the Spanish police initially concluded that Osman’s death was either accidental or possibly suicide, a finding that only intensified the family’s anger. “We’ve been abandoned—we need help,” Lee Evans told reporters, reflecting the family’s deep sense of injustice and isolation. The official report from Spanish authorities, which the family received, described the investigation as over and the death as “likely accidental,” a conclusion Evans criticized as being “based on an overview and assumptions and no hard facts.”
Not content with the official explanation, Osman’s family launched their own investigation. They pored over available details, tracked his last known movements, and gathered evidence they believed the authorities had missed. Their efforts paid off, at least temporarily, when they convinced Spanish police to reopen the case in May 2025. After reviewing the family’s findings, the chief prosecutor reportedly acknowledged, “We strongly believe foul play is involved and we are treating it as a potential homicide.” Yet, despite this promising development, the investigation was closed once again by September 12, 2025, with authorities maintaining their position that all leads had been exhausted.
Osman’s family refuses to accept this conclusion. They point to several troubling aspects of the case: the attempted use of Osman’s bank cards after his death, the remote location of his body, and the possibility that CCTV cameras might have captured his final movements. According to BBC, the family believes these factors suggest a crime was committed and that Osman did not simply fall by accident. “My brother hasn’t been given any thought or justice,” Evans lamented, vowing that the family would not give up their search for answers.
As the one-year anniversary of Osman’s death approaches, the family’s grief is compounded by a sense of abandonment. They feel let down not only by the Spanish authorities but also by the broader system that, in their view, has failed to provide adequate support for families dealing with deaths abroad. “The approaching anniversary will be hard for the whole family,” Evans said, describing the emotional toll of living with so many unresolved questions.
The Osman family’s ordeal is not unique. As BBC notes, they have reached out to other families who have lost loved ones overseas under mysterious circumstances. Many of these families share similar frustrations with local investigations that, in their view, are too quick to close cases without thorough scrutiny. The challenges of navigating foreign legal systems, language barriers, and unfamiliar procedures can leave families feeling powerless and alone.
Legal experts point out that cases involving the deaths of foreign nationals often present significant hurdles. Local authorities may lack resources or motivation to pursue leads that seem unlikely to result in prosecution, especially if the victim’s family is not present to advocate for further investigation. Meanwhile, families back home struggle to access information and push for action from afar. Osman’s family is now exploring other legal options, determined to keep the case in the public eye and pressure authorities to reconsider their findings.
The case has also raised questions about the safety of tourists in popular destinations like Benidorm. While the city is known for its vibrant nightlife and sunny beaches, incidents such as Osman’s death serve as a sobering reminder of the risks that can accompany foreign travel. For Osman’s family, the pain of their loss is compounded by the fear that justice may never be served—and that the truth about what happened to Nathan may remain forever out of reach.
In the meantime, Osman’s loved ones continue to honor his memory, sharing photos and stories of happier times. A family photograph released to the media shows Nathan smiling with his four children, a poignant reminder of the life cut short and the family left behind. As the anniversary of his death draws near, the Osman family’s resolve remains unshaken. They are committed to seeking answers, not just for Nathan, but for all families who have experienced similar tragedies far from home.
The story of Nathan Osman is a testament to the enduring strength of families in the face of unimaginable loss—and a stark illustration of the challenges that can arise when tragedy strikes far from home. While the official investigation may be closed, for those who loved him, the search for truth and justice is far from over.
