30 October 2023 , 13:00
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The mother of missing Ben Needham has vowed to "never stop searching" for him in a poignant birthday message she posted on social media.
Kerry Needham shared the heartbreaking message yesterday on Ben's 34th birthday - some 32 years after he went missing on the Greek island of Kos. In the three decades since, Ben's family has insisted there is no proof he is dead.
And the birthday message reinforced Kerry's hope she will find her son. She wrote: ""Happy birthday my beautiful boy. We will never stop searching for you and the truth to what happened to you. Always in my mind and heart."
Kerry Needham has maintained hope she'll see her son again (MDM)Speaking earlier this year, the family, from Sheffield, said: "Someone out there knows exactly where Ben is." Police, though, ended their investigation seven years ago, concluded the 21-month-old tot had probably died in an accident on the day he disappeared.
The youngster went missing in July 1991 on Kos while playing outside a farmhouse his grandad Eddie was renovating in the village of Irakles. Kerry's parents had moved to the island earlier in the year to start a new life. Ben's family has offered a £7,500 reward for information leading to his discovery.
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South Yorkshire Police believe Ben died in a tragic accident involving a digger, but his body has never been found despite two extensive excavations around the home.
Ben Needham went missing at the age of 21 months in July 1991 (Press Association)
Kerry, from Sheffield, is determined that the search for her son continues (MDM)In the summer, Ben's family fought for DNA tests to be carried out on the body of a little boy who was found in a German river after facial reconstructions appeared similar. However, police stated there was no match.
Speaking earlier this month, on the anniversary of police ending their probe, Ben's family said: "Since that day (seven years ago), DNA evidence was taken from the items recovered from the search," they said in a statement on the Help Find Ben Needham Facebook page.
"Decomposed blood was found on one of those items. The DNA did not belong to Ben. There is no proof that Ben has died. We will never stop searching. Somebody out there knows exactly where Ben is and what happened that day. It's never too late to do the right thing. This is not how it ends. It will only end when Ben is home. To anyone who knows what happened to Ben or where he is now, please do the right thing."