Kerry Needham, the mother of missing toddler Ben Needham, has expressed devastation after South Yorkshire Police announced they would no longer investigate her son's disappearance. The 51-year-old said she was left 'shaking in shock' after being told the major crimes unit would cease its inquiries, with responsibility now falling solely on Greek authorities.
Ben Needham was 21 months old when he vanished near a farmhouse on the Greek island of Kos in July 1991. South Yorkshire Police became involved in 2011, conducting two major searches at the site, but have now cited constraints on 'time' and 'resources' as reasons for ending their investigation. The force stated they remain ready to support Greek authorities should new evidence emerge.
Kerry Needham, who now lives in Turkey, told The Mirror that plans to re-interview witnesses and meet the Greek public prosecutor have been abandoned. She said: 'This is devastating news. The case will now fall solely to the Greek authorities. If this happens, I feel like I may as well give up the search for Ben because the Greek police have only ever wanted this case to go away.'
She added that South Yorkshire Police were her 'lifeline' and that she feels 'abandoned'. Greek authorities have previously faced accusations of a 'cover-up', with claims of fabricated witness statements and a failure to secure the island after Ben's disappearance. No significant leads have emerged from Greek police since 1991.
Kerry, who has a daughter named Leigh-Anna, said she was 'horrified' and 'in total shock' when informed of the decision. She said: 'All of my blood sweat and tears would have been for nothing. I will never get to know anything if the Greek police are in charge of it, because they won't do anything.'
