BEN NEEDHAM 21 months (British) - Kos (Greece) - 24/07/91

The Mirror

By Tom Parry

24 May 2012 00:00

Is lost Ben buried under rubble? Police suspect missing toddler died in tragic accident on building site
Investigators suggest Ben, who was aged just 21 months, may have been buried by accident after wandering to the nearby site

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ben-needham-may-be-buried-at-a-building-site-845614

BBC News

24 May 2012 Last updated at 12:49

Ben Needham's mother dismisses report he was buried

The mother of a boy who went missing in Greece 21 years ago has dismissed a report that the toddler died at the time in a building site accident.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-18190779

The webmaster of the Help Find Ben Needham Facebook page has put out the following message.


Please note that regardless of the newspaper report this morning, Kerry has had NO indication from police that what has been reported is the case. Kerry strongly feels and believes Ben is still alive, and will keep that faith and keep looking

The Mirror

By Tom Parry, Lucy Thornton

22 Aug 2012 00:00

'Let us dig for Ben': British police in bid to check site where toddler went missing 21 years ago


The dramatic development comes after the Mirror revealed Ben Needham could have been accidentally buried under rubble

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/ben-needham-2012-south-yorkshire-1273074

Daily Mail

Police on Greek island 'to dig up mound of earth' where they fear British toddler Ben Needham is buried, 21 years after he went missing

• Police investigate mound of rubble where toddler might have been accidentally buried
  
• His mother Kerry Needham insists he is still alive

By Anna Edwards

PUBLISHED:07:57, 22 August 2012| UPDATED:14:11, 22 August 2012

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2191843/Police-Greek-island-dig-mound-earth-fear-British-toddler-Ben-Needham-buried-21-years-went-missing.html#ixzz24PmroIT8

The Mirror

Ben Needham sensation: British police to start digging mound in Greece near to where boy went missing
A crack search team are to scour a mound of earth where it is feared the 21-month-old was accidentally buried in Kos in 1991

By Tom Parry, Lucy Thornton

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/ben-needham-police-to-start-digging-1384886

Sky News

Ben Needham: New Search For Missing Toddler

There are reports that British police are to dig up a plot in Greece near to where the toddler disappeared 21 years ago.

7:41am UK, Thursday 18 October 2012

Police investigating the disappearance of toddler Ben Needham 21 years ago are to start digging up an area close to where he went missing in Greece, it has been reported.

http://news.sky.com/story/999208/missing-ben-needham-new-search-in-greece

ITV News

18 October 2012

South Yorkshire Police in Greece to search for Ben

South Yorkshire Police have released a statement as search teams have travelled to the Greek Island to Kos to take part in the search for missing Ben Needham from Sheffield.

“South Yorkshire Police is leading a team of specialist search advisers who have travelled to the Greek Island of Kos to support the Greek authorities as they search for missing Sheffield toddler Ben Needham.

Greek police are pursuing a line of enquiry centred on the grounds of the property from which Ben disappeared in 1991 aged 21 months.

Beginning tomorrow work will begin to examine the ground, including using geophysical ground examination equipment, to determine whether any area should be dug.

– South Yorkshire Police

It continued:

“Other specialist resources include a forensic archaeologist and search dogs.

The operation, expected to last a week to ten days, follows a Greek police request for specialist support to follow through a line of enquiry they have developed.

During the past 18 months, South Yorkshire Police has also reviewed all material held by the Greek police in relation to Ben's disappearance in order to support the Greek enquiry. SYP has also obtained Ben's DNA from Sheffield Children's Hospital.

SYP has for a number of years supported Ben's mum Kerry and other members of the family.

– South Yorkshire Police

http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2012-10-18/south-yorkshire-police-in-greece-to-search-for-ben/

The Mirror

19 October 2012

'If they find his bones my life will be finished': Ben Needham's mum praying British police dig FAILS to find him

Kerry broke down in tears as she admitted, for the first time, she is beginning to have “horrifying” doubts that her missing son is still alive

FOR more than two decades she has clung to the belief that her missing son is still alive – and that one day they will finally be reunited.

But yesterday Ben Needham’s mum Kerry broke down in tears as she admitted that, for the first time, she is beginning to have “horrifying” doubts.

She spoke out as a specialist team of British police prepared to start digging up a patch of farmland on the Greek island of Kos, where 21-month-old Ben vanished on July 24, 1991.

Kerry, 41, sobbed: “I have lived my life convinced I would see Ben again one day. I have been campaigning for 20 years, searching everywhere.

“And now they are digging up the ground looking for my son’s bones. It has left me traumatised – really shaken.

“I know in my heart of hearts they will not find Ben there because he is still alive somewhere.

"But I have to admit for the first time ever this search has put doubts into my head.”

Kerry, originally from Sheffield, is being supported by her parents as she waits at a secret location for news.

Soon she plans to make the painful journey to join the search team in Kos – returning to the holiday island that still haunts her.

She said: “I just feel I should be there. It is the last place I want to be but I feel I need to.

"It has been difficult for me to think about, because deep down I believe Ben is alive but then this makes you doubt it.

“It makes you think what if after all these years my motherly instincts were wrong? It would possibly make me doubt my whole life.”

She admitted: “If they find Ben’s body I’m finished. I don’t want to hear they have found my son’s bones. I want to hear he is alive, well and happy.

“I want them to do this search and then rule it out. Then we can all move on and concentrate on finding my son.”

The decision by UK police to excavate the area where Ben was last seen came after the Mirror revealed reports from Greece that the youngster may have been accidentally buried under tons of rubble that was being dumped in a nearby field on the day he disappeared.

Eighteen specialist officers from forces across Britain have been drafted in for the search, which will involve the use of ground sonar equipment.

Blond, blue-eyed Ben went missing when his grandparents Eddie and Christine were looking after him at a farmhouse while his mum was out working as a waitress.

Kerry and her family have always insisted he was snatched when his grandparents’ backs were turned and sold – possibly to a gang of gypsies.

Ben would be 22 now and the search for him is the longest active missing person inquiry in British history.

Kerry, who has a 19-year-old daughter, Leighanna, has followed up more than 200 sightings all over the world.

She says: “I’ve also listened to nutty psychics and even been the victim of blackmail.

"But when South Yorkshire police opened up Ben’s case again last year, I was given real hope.

"We even got his DNA from the sample taken at his birth by the hospital and I dared to dream there was still a chance I could be reunited with my son.

“At the moment we are waiting for his DNA to be distributed worldwide. It has been in the UK and Europe so far.

"Greece does not yet have a database, but it will have one in the near future.

“I always hoped they would use the sample to prove Ben was alive – now I fear they will use it to prove he is dead.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/ben-needham-dig-mum-kerry-1386552

ITV News Calendar

8:10pm, Fri 19 Oct 2012 New search for Ben Needham

EXCLUSIVE: Eddie Needham talks to Calendar

Last updated Fri 19 Oct 2012

http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2012-10-19/exclusive-eddie-needham-talks-to-calendar/

The Guardian

Ben Needham's disappearance is a matter for Greek police

South Yorkshire police's decision to send officers to the island of Kos is astonishing at a time when services are being cut

Martin Kettle

guardian.co.uk, Friday 19 October 2012 14.30 BST

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/19/ben-needham-south-yorkshire-police-kos?commentpage=1#comment-18974511

Sunday Mirror

"Turn back, turn back, this island shattered our lives": Ben Needham's mum in Kos journey anguish
Standing on the ferry as the Greek island of Kos came into view, Kerry Needham wanted to ask the captain to turn back

21 Oct 2012 23:24

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/ben-needhams-mum-kerry-on-way-1391947

ITV News Calendar

Exclusive: Ben Needham's mum speaks to Calendar

- last updated Mon 22 Oct 2012

http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2012-10-22/exclusive-ben-needhams-mum-speaks-to-calendar/

STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA FROM KERRY:
"Can I start by thanking you, the media, for your continued support and helping keep Ben’s disappearance in the public eye.
I have to pass thanks from the bottom of my heart to the Greek Police for this re-investigation and allowing the search experts from South Yorkshire Police to come to the island to assist the Greek authorities with the search.

More importantly, I have to say that when I was told how many local people have given up their time searching every day in the heat, it overwhelmed me and confirmed what wonderful people live here on the island. I thank them on behalf of myself and my family.


Coming to the island, knowing the search experts are looking for my son, was heart-wrenching. I believe that my son Ben is still alive and out there somewhere, but I understand that this search needed to be done.

I am still determined to find my son and I make a plea to anyone watching this interview anywhere in the world who has any information about what happened to Ben, to get in touch and try to end my family’s pain and suffering.

I will never give up my search until I find out what happened to Ben. My family are stronger than ever now and will do whatever it takes to find Ben and let him know the truth of who he really is."

- Kerry Needham

BBC News

22 October 2012 Last updated at 13:51

Ben Needham: Mum's agony as police carry out new search


The mother of missing Ben Needham has said visiting the Greek island where police are searching for the remains of her son was "heart wrenching".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-20028856

Hoping for answers. It must be extremely difficult.

Sky News

2:56pm UK, Tuesday 23 October 2012

Ben Needham Search: Children's Toys Found
Toy cars found beneath the ground during a search in Greece for missing Ben Needham have been shown to his family.

By Mike McCarthy, Sky News Correspondent, in Kos

Police have discovered parts of toys that Ben Needham may have been playing with on the Greek island of Kos before he went missing.

http://news.sky.com/story/1001578/ben-needham-search-childrens-toy-cars-found

Praying for news Kerry xxxx

BBC News

26 October 2012 Last updated at 17:31

Ben Needham: Police finish Kos search

Specialist police officers searching for the missing Sheffield youngster Ben Needham have called off their search on the Greek island of Kos.

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

Sky News

No Trace Of Ben Needham In New Search

The toddler went missing in 1991 near a farmhouse his grandfather was renovating on the Greek Island of Kos.

9:49pm UK, Friday 26 October 2012

British police have ended their latest search for Ben Needham who disappeared on the Greek Island of Kos 21 years ago.

http://news.sky.com/story/1003298/no-trace-of-ben-needham-in-new-search

Sheffield Telegraph

27 October 2012

Police's field search for Sheffield Ben draws a blank

POLICE officers searching for Ben Needham - the Sheffield toddler who disappeared on the Greek island of Kos – have completed their search of a field near where he disappeared.

A team from South Yorkshire travelled to the holiday isle earlier this week to look for the possible remains of Ben, who was aged just 21 months when he disappeared from outside a farmhouse his grandparents, Eddie and Christine Needham, were renovating in 1991.

Police have spent the week searching a field next to the farmhouse, where a builder was dumping rubble on the day Ben vanished.

Greek authorities wanted to rule out the possibility Ben may have wandered into the field and been accidentally buried.

Detective Superintendent Matt Fenwick South Yorkshire Police said: “Police teams out in Kos have not found anything this week.

“The search was completed at 4pm, Greek time yesterday.

“South Yorkshire Police are continuing to support the Greek authorities and Ben’s family.”

Specialist equipment including ground scanners were used in the search to look for signs of a child’s body.

South Yorkshire Police dogs trained to detect human remains were also used, but by yesterday afternoon the search team had failed to unearth anything of significance.

Some fragments of metal toys were found, leading to fears they may have been the Dinky cars Ben was playing with when he vanished.

But yesterday, with most of the field excavated, there were no signs of Ben’s body.

Det Supt Fenwick said yesterday: “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 per cent, 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.”

Ben’s mum Kerry Grist, aged 40, of Ecclesfield, has always maintained her son is still alive and believes he was abducted.

She travelled to Kos with the search team, but said she was viewing the excavation of the field as a ‘elimination’ exercise.

Supt Fenwick said: “It’s been difficult and distressing for Kerry as we have been following a line of inquiry that could only have meant Ben had died.”

Speaking about the disappearance of her son 21 years ago, Kerry said: “We all live with broken hearts although we try to live a normal life as possible. It really does physically feel like my heart is broken.

“My dad had a heart attack several years ago and it was because it was broken. I still get scared if I start crying it won’t stop.”

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/local/police-s-field-search-for-sheffield-ben-draws-a-blank-1-5070459

The Mirror

Is this Ben Needham? Heartache for mum Kerry as TV appeal unearths "haunting" new lead

By Lucy Thornton

10 Dec 2012 22:26

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

Daily Mail

My brother Ben vanished 22 years ago on a Greek holiday island. My mother left me to drink her pain away. At 11, I found her suicide note. Now we need a miracle

• Leighanna Needham wasn't born when brother Ben went missing in Kos
  
• But she speaks out about how his disappearance still affects her family

By Christine Challand

PUBLISHED:22:05, 20 April 2013| UPDATED:11:18, 21 April 2013

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2312250/Ben-Needham-Sister-Leighanna-explains-impact-disappearance-brother-life.html

The Guardian

Sunday 28 April 2013 00.05 BST

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 well

Melanie McFadyean

http://m.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/apr/28/ben-needham-kerry-needham-interview?post_id=620727443_10151422260007444