Re: Ben Needham cold case is reopened by British police

by Guest 23.10.12 23:51

It was strange because she is normally very calm and determined that Ben is out there alive somewhere.

My gut reaction says that Ben will not be found at this site but, if he is, it looks as if Kerry will sadly have a complete breakdown.

by uppatoffee 26.10.12 14:12

Latest from BBC on the search for Ben.

Ben Needham search 'unsuccessful'

A South Yorkshire Police officer with a dog was first on the scene on Friday
Specialist police officers searching for the missing Sheffield youngster Ben Needham are expected to call off their search on the Greek island of Kos.

The team of officers has been checking a site close to the farmhouse where the family was staying when Ben went missing in 1991, aged 21 months.

It is understood the search will be called off on Saturday.

Ben's mother, Kerry Needham, has always maintained her son was alive and had probably been abducted.

'Difficult and distressing'

Det Supt Matt Fenwick, who has been leading the search, said: "We found a lot of animal bones, toys, rubbish, beer cans and so forth.

"It's a been a difficult, but very thorough examination of the land.

"Even after the search we've done, you can never say 100%, but the search has been so extensive and thorough that once complete it will be very unlikely he (Ben) could be in the specific locations we've searched."

Mr Fenwick said he had put together the best search team possible.

He added: "It's been difficult and distressing for Kerry (Ben's mother) as we have been following a line of inquiry that could only have meant Ben had died."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-20096134

by aiyoyo 26.10.12 16:25

So the Police are back to square one - not knowing.

I suspect the case is reopened to procedurally and legally allow for this dig to be carried out and not for reason of chasing up sightings.
I personally believe if there had been credible sightings they wouldn't be digging.
Moreover how to reconcile a 20month to a 20year old to render it credible sighting.
Unless someone with inside info or the abductor fessed up it's impossible for there to be any sightings that can reasonably be considered feasible to follow up.

Very sad for Ben's mum.

by Newintown 26.10.12 20:04

I saw on the Sky News ticker tape revolving news this evening (7.00 p.m.) that the search in Kos has been called off as nothing leading to Ben has been found.

At least Kerry has still got some hope that Ben may be alive somewhere.

by Guest 15.12.12 23:00

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ben-needham-search-for-missing-ben-1483977

I believe that the boy in the grainy photo near the end has been traced and isn't Ben, but some people think there's a good resemblance to him in the other one at the top.

by Inspectorfrost 26.01.13 23:33

Jean wrote:http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ben-needham-search-for-missing-ben-1483977

I believe that the boy in the grainy photo near the end has been traced and isn't Ben, but some people think there's a good resemblance to him in the other one at the top.

I agree there is some resemblance, just needs to get a check on whether he has a mole on his leg as ben did

by Guest 27.01.13 8:37

Of course, if this now adult is ever located, a DNA comparison with either of Ben's parents or his sister would answer the question right away.

by bristow 26.02.13 12:03

Wonder how things are going here with the Ben Needham search?

Such a contrast with the media obsessed (although they won't admit it) McCanns.

by Guest 29.04.13 7:45

The hunt for Ben Needham and the family that won't give up searching

British toddler Ben Needham vanished in 1991 on the Greek island of Kos. Now his mother has written a memoir and here she talks to the writer who has followed the case since the mid-90s and come to know the family wel

Melanie McFadyean
The Observer, Sunday 28 April 2013

A very insightful artical by the writer into the life of Kerry a genuine mother of a genuine missing child. I have always admired her strength, courage and determination in her search for Ben. I do hope one day she will find him or he will find her.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/apr/28/ben-needham-kerry-needham-interview

by sofieellis 18.10.13 15:15

I don't know if everyone has seen this article, but I just saw it on the Help Find ben Needham facebook page:

Police seek biological parents of girl (4) found in Roma settlement

The number of children supposedly born in short spaces of time is rather worrying.

by lj 18.10.13 15:35

sofieellis wrote:I don't know if everyone has seen this article, but I just saw it on the Help Find ben Needham facebook page:

Police seek biological parents of girl (4) found in Roma settlement

The number of children supposedly born in short spaces of time is rather worrying.

I hope they do DNA on all of them, although they likely not live with the parents anymore. I have seen that pattern in other countries though: a parent (or both) dies, the grandparents or siblings take the kids in. Nobody has papers, nobody remembers a birthdate, so a estimated birth date is given. It is not legal but so much easier and cheaper than official adoptions. It would be interesting to see if the date these children were entered in the system is close to the "birthdate" or much later. If much later it is likely a unofficial way of adoption.

by sofieellis 18.10.13 18:03

There is also the following article:

http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2013/10/18/greek-police-searches-biological-parents-of-little-blond-girl-kept-by-roma-family/

which states that

"Further investigation revealed that the couple was receiving child benefits for ten children, who could not be located."

It reminds me of this other ongoing case, in Philadelphia, where lots of children have been found, following the recent horrific discovery of four mentally ill adults being held in awful conditions in a cellar. The kidnappers had been claiming their social security benefits.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2050886/Philadelphia-dungeon-rescue-10-missing-children-feared-dead-ALIVE.html