The mother of Ben Needham, who disappeared from the Greek island of Kos 35 years ago, has been left shocked after South Yorkshire Police told her they will no longer be investigating her son’s disappearance.
Ben was just 21 months old in July 1991, when he vanished without a trace from outside a farmhouse his grandparents were renovating in the village of Iraklis.
Mum Kerry, now 51, has never given up searching for her son and has her own theory on what might have happened.
However, she’s now been given the ‘devastating news’ that South Yorkshire Police will no longer be investigating the disappearance, and will instead remain on hand to ‘support Greek authorities’.
Kerry Needham has vowed to never give up looking for her son (Getty)
“We remain ready to support Greek authorities should any new evidence come to light, and we remain committed to supporting Kerry,” the force said in a statement to The Mirror.
“However after 35 years, we must ensure all of the appropriate routes are in place and remain fit for purpose.”
Kerry told the publication that the news had left her in ‘utter shock’ and ‘devastation’ as she broke down in tears.
“For nearly 35 years, we have fought every single day to keep Ben’s case alive, to search for answers, and to make sure he is never forgotten.
“We believe there are still avenues to explore. This feels like a devastating step backwards.”
Kerry has now penned a letter to the British Government calling on them to step-in and reverse the decision.
Ben’s case was initially investigated by Greek police, until 2011 when South Yorkshire Police got involved.
The force has since carried out two large-scale searches at the farmhouse where Ben was last seen, the first in 2011 and another in 2016.
Detective Inspector Jon Cousins, who headed up the inquiry has previously said he believes Ben was involved in an accident near the farmhouse.
Searches were carried out at the farmhouse Ben Needham was last seen at (Getty)
However, no solid proof of this theory has ever been found, and Kerry believes her son may have been kidnapped.
Since his disappearance, a number of people have come forward making unfounded claims they were the missing toddler.
In March this year, Kerry revealed she had been contacted by a stranger who claimed that her boyfriend had been illegally adopted as a child and ‘looks exactly’ like the age-progressed images of Ben.
At the time, Kerry said the man was willing to undergo a DNA test and was waiting for Interpol to get the ball rolling.
Despite the news that South Yorkshire Police will no longer be working the case, Kerry has previously vowed to ‘never stop searching’ for her son.