The family of the missing Icelandic man Jón Jónsson has stated that the gardaí have conducted additional searches regarding the poker player’s disappearance.
New tips submitted to the gardaí, stemming from the ‘Where is Jón?’ podcast series by RTÉ and RÚV, the Icelandic public service broadcaster, led to further searches last month across various sites in Dublin, aided by human remains detection dogs.
Mr. Jónsson, 41, vanished in Dublin while attending the Dublin Poker Festival with his then-partner, Kristiana Guðjónsdóttir.
He was last seen leaving the Bonnington Hotel and walking along Swords Road past the entrance of Highfield Hospital, heading towards the Collins Avenue junction on February 9, 2019.
Last year, a search was conducted in areas of Santry Demense Park following two anonymous letters, one sent to the gardaí and the other to a priest’s residence in north Dublin.
Although these searches were unsuccessful, Mr. Jónsson’s brother, David Karl Wiium, emphasized the importance of “leaving no stone unturned.”
David Karl Wiium noted that the meeting in The Hague represented a ‘huge’ advancement.
“It’s vital to ensure that no possibility is overlooked and to continuously explore every avenue. This is very optimistic and fills us with hope.”
The family has expressed appreciation for a recent meeting in The Hague involving the gardaí, Europol, and the Icelandic investigative team.
Mr. Wiium mentioned the family’s ongoing efforts for improved collaboration between the gardaí and Icelandic authorities, stating that the meeting in The Hague marked a “huge” development.
“Essentially, we have been advocating for closer cooperation between Icelandic police and the gardaí over the years. Therefore, for us, it is a significant victory that they have met and established more personal connections and collaborative efforts. According to the gardaí, the Icelandic police have been very cooperative.”
It is believed that the gardaí have a list of individuals they intend to interview regarding the case.
The Icelandic authorities have informed the gardaí that they are willing to assist with the investigation, offering interpreters, police officers, and transportation.
The family anticipates that a team from An Garda Síochána will soon travel to Iceland for the first time.
The Jónsson family met with An Garda Síochána in March to discuss the investigation.
Mr. Wiium added: “This visit felt unique, and I could sense it. We were all there—siblings, our mother—and we could genuinely feel the right energy. We truly believe that the gardaí are fully committed to helping us, and they have maintained communication with me and the family since we left, which is a positive indicator of what lies ahead.”
