Kerry Needham reveals a sudden new lead has emerged decades after her son disappeared — and why she still believes Ben may be alive.

For nearly 35 years, Kerry Needham has refused to give up hope that her missing son Ben Needham is still alive — and that one day, he may finally come home.

The British toddler vanished without a trace in July 1991 while on holiday with his family on the Greek island of Kos. Now, almost three and a half decades on, Kerry has revealed that an unexpected email has opened up a new and emotionally charged twist in the case.

Ben Needham missing 15 Ben Needham was 14 months old when he disappeared in Kos in 1991Credit: PA:Press Association

Speaking from her home in Antalya, Turkey, where she relocated around two years ago, the 53-year-old mother-of-two revealed that a woman recently contacted her, convinced her boyfriend could be Ben — who would have turned 36 in October last year.

Ben’s mum Kerry Needham is convinced her son is still aliveCredit: Peter Byrne

“I keep a very, very open mind,” Kerry said.
“When I got that email, I didn’t jump for joy. I’ve had no photograph, very little information. But she said there were too many coincidences — things in his past that don’t add up.”

Kerry has since passed the correspondence to South Yorkshire Police, who have led the British side of the investigation since Ben disappeared on July 24, 1991. Officers have confirmed enquiries are ongoing and that the family will be kept informed.

The Day Ben Vanished

Missing British Boy Toddler Ben Needham. He Disappeared From A Farmhouse On A Greek Island Of Kos In 1991 Whilst On Holiday With His Parents And Has Not Been Seen Since… The Inconsolable Family L-r : Grandfather Eddie Needham Mother Kerry Needham G 15 Kerry with her parents Eddie and Christine soon after h

In the summer of 1991, Kerry had moved to Kos with Ben to start a new life alongside her parents, Eddie and Christine, who were already living on the island.

On the day of the disappearance, 21-month-old Ben was left in the care of his grandparents at a farmhouse they were renovating while Kerry, just 19 at the time, went to work at a local hotel.

South Yorkshire Police excavate a site in Kos in September 2016Credit: PA

Ben had been playing in and out of the property throughout the afternoon. But at around 2.30pm, he was suddenly gone.

At first, the family assumed he had wandered off with his teenage uncle Stephen, who had been helping with renovation work before heading home on his moped. When Stephen was later found alone, panic set in.

Police were alerted, and Kerry was told the devastating news later that evening.

NINTCHDBPICT000267159648 15 Ben was playing outside a farmhouse being renovated by his grandparents when he disappearedCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

“At first, we didn’t think anything terrible had happened,” Kerry explained.
“We thought someone must have found him, given him water, maybe taken him to a hospital or police station. It was so hot that day — over 90 degrees.”

But as hours turned into days, and no sign of Ben emerged, the reality began to sink in.

From Disbelief to Dark Possibilities

“At no point did abduction enter our minds,” Kerry said.
“Kidnappings were something you saw in films. We had no money — why would anyone take our child?”

It was only after no hospitals or police stations reported finding Ben that the family began to fear something far more sinister.

As the case gained publicity, a Greek man contacted Ben’s grandfather with chilling information — claiming gangs were operating on the island, selling children for illegal adoption.

“He said Ben being blonde and blue-eyed meant he would fetch more money,” Kerry recalled.

Though South Yorkshire Police remained open-minded, Kerry believes the trafficking angle was never properly pursued by Greek authorities. Years later, former Kos police officers allegedly claimed Ben had been taken off the island via a port shortly after his disappearance — but the lead was never fully investigated.

Decades of Questions, No Closure

Over the years, countless theories have emerged — including the claim that Ben was accidentally killed by a digger working near the farmhouse. Despite extensive excavations and the removal of more than 800 tonnes of soil, no trace of Ben has ever been found.

“If there had been an accident, they would have found something,” Kerry said.
“They even uncovered an ancient burial ground — yet not a fragment of Ben.”

She has repeatedly rejected the digger theory, insisting it does not align with logic or evidence.

“The idea that someone could kill a child, dispose of the body, then return hours later and casually speak to the grandparents — I just don’t buy it,” she said.

A Mother’s Instinct

Despite the emotional toll — sleepless nights, anxiety, and years of trauma — Kerry says she continues because she truly believes Ben is alive.

“I wouldn’t put myself through this if I didn’t believe that,” she said.
“It’s a gut instinct. A mother’s instinct.”

Her move to Turkey has helped her cope, allowing her to live a quieter life while continuing to follow up leads and campaign for answers.

Most recently, she has launched a website dedicated to Ben’s case, frustrated that many people mistakenly believe it was resolved years ago.

“Yes, a detective once said he believed Ben died in an accident,” Kerry said.
“But that was a theory — not proof. Police still say Ben could walk through the door tomorrow.”

Fresh DNA Hope — With Caution

South Yorkshire Police confirmed they recently received a report involving a man who believes he could be Ben Needham. DNA testing is now expected to take place.

However, Kerry remains cautious. She has previously been harassed for years by a man convinced he was her son — despite DNA tests proving otherwise.

“You’re constantly battling false hope,” she said. “But you can’t ignore genuine leads.”

Still Searching, Still Waiting

As time passes, Kerry says her greatest wish is full access to the original Greek police files — hoping that overlooked details may still hold answers.

“There are so many unanswered questions,” she said.
“Pressure needs to be put on the Greek authorities. Until then, I won’t stop.”

Nearly 35 years on, the search for Ben Needham continues — driven by a mother who refuses to believe her child simply vanished without a trace.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/