Kerry Needham, mother of missing toddler Ben Needham, has been left “shaking in shock” and devastated after South Yorkshire Police confirmed they will no longer investigate her son’s disappearance. The responsibility for the case now falls entirely to the Greek authorities, who will take charge of any future inquiries.
The 51-year-old broke down in tears after being informed that the major crimes unit in South Yorkshire would no longer oversee the investigation. For decades, Kerry has fought tirelessly to keep her son’s case alive, and now the shift of responsibility to Greece has left her reeling.
“This is devastating news. If this goes ahead, I feel like I may as well give up the search for Ben,” Kerry told The Mirror. “The Greek police have only ever wanted this case to go away.”
Previously, the South Yorkshire team had planned a trip to Kos to meet with the Greek public prosecutor, aiming to build a joint investigative effort. Those plans have now been scrapped, leaving Kerry feeling abandoned. “I was horrified and in total shock,” she said. “I sat there shaking my head, thinking ‘this is so wrong.’ Then it was sheer devastation. I just couldn’t hold myself together.”
Kerry has repeatedly expressed concern that, under Greek oversight, key investigative steps will not be taken. She fears evidence will be ignored, DNA tests will not be conducted, and years of painstaking work could be wasted.
Ben disappeared from a farmhouse in Kos on July 24, 1991, while playing outside. His grandmother was babysitting, and Kerry was at work. Over the years, the Greek authorities have been accused of mishandling the case, including failing to secure the island and allegedly coercing witnesses to provide false statements.
Despite years of UK police involvement, including major digs in 2011 and 2016, Ben has never been found. A yellow toy car with decomposed blood was recovered during the final search, but it did not match Ben’s DNA. Kerry rejects theories suggesting an accident and believes her son may have been abducted.
In her letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Kerry highlighted the stark disparity in resources between Ben’s case and other high-profile disappearances, such as Madeleine McCann. She criticized the lack of investigative support, funding, and media attention, writing: “My son should not be forgotten because his case is decades old, difficult, or less politically visible.”
South Yorkshire Police have said they remain ready to support the Greek authorities if new evidence arises and will act as a conduit for information through Interpol. However, Kerry’s trust in the Greek police is low, citing past cover-ups and inaction that have plagued the investigation.
Undeterred, Kerry has vowed to continue her fight, urging the public to pressure authorities to ensure Ben’s case is not forgotten. “No parent should ever have to stop searching for their child, and I never will,” she declared.
The tragedy of Ben Needham’s disappearance continues to weigh heavily on the family, who have endured decades of uncertainty, unanswered questions, and heartbreak — now compounded by this latest setback.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
