Family members of a missing sailor — whose boat and dog were discovered off the coast of the Canary Islands last month — are opening up about the ongoing and emotional search for him.
International rescue efforts for 34-year-old James Nunan began after he was last seen on Aug. 19 on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, during his solo trip around the world that started in March. By Aug. 22, his worried mother, Maura Norton, reported him missing to British officials, the BBC and the Irish Mirror reported.
In late September, more than a month after Nunan disappeared, his aunt Joan Davis told the Mirror that she cannot imagine her nephew vanishing voluntarily.
“No, definitely not. Not in a million years,” Davis said. “Too fond of his mother, he told her everything.”
On Aug. 18, Nunan recorded a Facebook Live while walking around Playa del Confital beach with other people. He then visited Paddy’s Anchor bar in Las Palmas, where he told another man he planned to travel to Lanzarote, another Canary Island, the BBC reported.
By 10:49 p.m. local time, Nunan bought dinner at a kebab spot, captured on CCTV. His backpack was stolen outside the restaurant, though he was seen eating with his passport around his neck. Updated reports show that on Aug. 19, Nunan went to a police station to report his passport missing, according to the BBC. Three days later, his mother officially reported him missing.
Nunan’s half-sister, Nikita Goddard, previously told The Telegraph, “We are told there was a ‘pan-pan’ alert made in regards to his boat — it’s one step down from a mayday.” The BBC reported the alert was issued between Aug. 24 and 25.
Then, on Aug. 25, police found Nunan’s boat about 100 miles from his last known location in Las Palmas. His 18-month-old puppy, Thumbelina, was discovered alive on board and taken to a local shelter, according to The Telegraph. The discovery raised further questions and concern from the family.
Davis told the Mirror she suspects foul play, noting that personal items were missing from the boat and there are “too many holes and gaps in the story,” making it unlikely that Nunan simply fell into the ocean.
Police documents found on the boat confirmed Nunan had visited the station on Aug. 19, the BBC reported. For his sister, this shows he was of sound mind before disappearing. She urged people not to assume he simply “got drunk and fell off the boat,” the BBC noted.
Nunan’s family and Spanish authorities did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
A spokesperson for the British Embassy in Madrid previously told PEOPLE, “We are providing support to the family of a British man reported missing in Gran Canaria and are in contact with local authorities.”
In the weeks following Nunan’s disappearance, his family has traveled to Gran Canaria to aid in the search and is working to bring Thumbelina back to England, according to the BBC.
“It’s been emotionally and physically exhausting and draining for the family,” Goddard said, adding that it has been particularly difficult for Nunan’s parents, according to the outlet.
The family has set up a GoFundMe to support their ongoing search.
Nunan’s aunt and sister continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
“Everyone is trying to live on the hope that he’s still alive,” Goddard said, according to the BBC.
