Tags: EU | Britain | Missing Toddler

UK Police Say Toddler Missing for 25 Years Died in Accident

UK Police Say Toddler Missing for 25 Years Died in Accident

Monday, 17 October 2016 10:10 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) — A British toddler who went missing on a Greek island 25 years ago is believed to have been killed in a construction-site accident that was covered up for almost a quarter of a century, police said Monday.

The parents of Ben Needham — who disappeared on the island of Kos on July 24, 1991 — clung for years to the hope that he was still alive.

British police began a new search last month after receiving a tip that Ben might have been killed by a backhoe, whose driver has since died.

Detective Inspector Jon Cousins of South Yorkshire Police said the search had uncovered an item thought to have been with 21-month-old Ben at the time of his disappearance, but no remains have been found.

Cousins said heavy machinery, including a large backhoe, was being used to clear land in the area behind the farmhouse that was being renovated by the Needham family. He said it was his "professional belief" that the boy died in an accident near the house, where he was last seen playing.

Speaking before the announcement, Ben's mother Kerry Needham said she wanted "to tear up the whole island" to find her son's remains.

"Someone knows where he is," she told the Daily Mirror newspaper. "For God's sake, help me find him. We know he's dead, but we need to find him."

Cousins said the police investigation remained open, and "we will not stop in our quest to find further answers for Ben's family."

© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Europe
A British toddler who went missing on a Greek island 25 years ago is believed to have been killed in a construction-site accident that was covered up for almost a quarter of a century, police said Monday.The parents of Ben Needham - who disappeared on the island of Kos on...
EU,Britain,Missing Toddler
249
2016-10-17
Monday, 17 October 2016 10:10 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
 

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved