Ben Needham: Family vow to stay 'strong and resolute' as DNA tests show Cyprus man is not the missing boy
Family confirm DNA comparisons between Ben and the man are not a match
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Roma man who handed himself in to Greek authorities for DNA tests to establish if he could be British-born Ben Needham has been told is he is not the missing boy.
A statement released on the Help Find Ben Needham Facebook page described the results as disappointing for the family, but said they would remain “strong and resolute” in the search for the toddler who disappeared 22 years ago.
The Needham family were informed of the results of the DNA today, on what would be Ben’s 24th birthday.
The post read: “The Needham family have [...] had confirmation that the DNA results on the man in Cyprus have came back as negative. This, again, is more disappointment for Kerry and her family.
“There are other leads currently being looked into which keeps their hopes alive.”
Ben disappeared as a toddler on the Greek island of Kos in 1991 during a visit with his mother and grandparents. His mother Kerry has always maintained that her son is alive and may have been abducted.
The man handed himself into Greek police to provide a DNA samples after a video emerged of him at a church in Limassol. Ben’s family said the man shared “similarities to what we think Ben would look like and the age progression photograph we had done”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments