The mother of missing toddler Ben Needham has been told by South Yorkshire Police that they will no longer investigate her son's disappearance, which occurred 35 years ago on the Greek island of Kos. Kerry Needham, 51, said she was left 'shaking in shock' after the force informed her that its major crimes unit would no longer handle the case, passing responsibility to Greek authorities.
Kerry, who now lives in Turkey, said the decision was 'devastating' and that she felt 'abandoned'. She expressed fears that Greek police, who she accused of wanting the case to 'go away', would not pursue leads effectively. Plans to re-interview witnesses and meet the Greek public prosecutor have been scrapped, with any future information to go to Interpol and Greek authorities.
South Yorkshire Police said in a statement: 'We remain ready to support Greek authorities should any new evidence come to light, and we remain committed to supporting Kerry. However after 35 years, we must ensure all of the appropriate routes are in place and remain fit for purpose.'
Ben vanished on July 24, 1991, while playing outside a farmhouse his grandparents were renovating on Kos. Despite two major searches by British officers in 2011 and 2016, no trace of him has been found. A theory that he was killed in a digger accident has never been proven.
Kerry said: 'I'm heartbroken because they are my lifeline, the only people I can trust... I may as well give up looking now.' The case is one of the longest-running missing person investigations in both Britain and Greece.
