Questions as Brit is discovered alive 12 days after he vanished in Majorca
British trainee barrister Ben Ross is being treated for dehydration and exhaustion after he was found alive 12 days after he went missing in Majorca.
But the mystery surrounding his movements remains with questions being posed for the police as to where exactly the Brit was.
Ben, who vanished from the capital of Palma on July 10 after his phone and wallet were stolen in a beach robbery, was found at the British consulate in the city ‘suffering from dehydration and exhaustion’ on Monday.
The 26-year-old had been reported missing by his mother Felix Robinson on July 13, sparking desperate appeals to try and find him on the sun-soaked Spanish tourist destination.
Despite social media appeals and attempts to get the police involved there was no sign of the Manchester native, with Mrs Robinson flying out to the island on Saturday in a bid to search for him herself.
However, she would not have to wait long to hug her son again, with the pair reuniting at the British Consulate yesterday. They will now begin planning his return to Britain, which will only take place after he undergoes treatment for dehydration and exhaustion.
The trainee barrister (pictured), from Wigan, Greater Manchester, had his phone, keys and wallet stolen at a beach while he took a swim in the sea on July 6 and then fell out with his flatmates shortly before he was last seen
Ben (pictured) had sent a final email to his mother saying how he was unable to access his bank accounts because they were security protected via his mobile phone
Ben Ross, pictured here with his mother Felix, went missing in Majorca on July 10 after a series of unfortunate events
The 26-year-old, pictured here with his mother, vanished several days after his phone and wallet were stolen in a robbery
In a statement Mrs Robinson said: ‘I’m so incredibly grateful for all the help and support we’ve received.
‘Everyone has been truly incredible. We are so relieved to have found him and are now focused on getting him back to full health and home safe and well.’
Ben went to Palma to visit a friend and take a break from his law studies in June, but after picking up a temporary job decided to stay for the summer.
However, on July 6 his phone, keys and wallet were stolen while he took a swim in the sea, then he fell out with his flatmates shortly before he was last seen on July 10.
They were angry when he broke into the flat after coming home late from reporting the robbery and threatened to evict him.
In a final email to his mother Ben, who has struggled with his mental health previously, said he was unable to access his bank accounts because they were security protected via his mobile phone.
The message added that he ‘wasn’t interested in what happened next,’ which left her extremely worried for his safety.
Mrs Robinson claimed she rang her local police, in Wigan and Leigh, at least twice a day from July 13 to report Ben missing.
When no one called her back, she walked into her local police station on July 17 and refused to leave until an officer had taken a statement. She also made a formal complaint, which she claims was closed without any contact from GMP.
A spokesman for the force said: ‘All details have been passed to Spanish authorities via Interpol referral form which the informant is aware of.
‘If the missing person re-enters the UK it will flag up and we will be made aware.’
The trainee barrister had initially planned to visit a friend in Palma, Majorca, and later decided to extend his stay. Pictured: A stock photo of Palma de Mallorca
Ben shared a picture on his social media showing he visited the Colosseum in Rome in March
Ben’s mother’s friends set up a GoFundMe page to help pay her travel and accommodation costs while on the island
Ben shared a photograph on his Instagram page on June 24 in Mallorca with the caption ‘Grateful’
On Thursday Spanish Police said a Homicide Unit had been put in charge of the search, as is practice in Spain even when there is no evidence to suggest someone has been killed.
Prior to being found, Mrs Robinson said she was ‘going out of my mind with worry’ and was visiting places on the island where Ben had been staying.
She flew out to Majorca on Saturday after being granted an emergency passport after misplacing her previous documents.
Mrs Robinson told MailOnline yesterday: ‘I just want to find him, see he’s okay and give him the biggest hug.
‘I’ve started the search myself. I’m going to everywhere that’s open today. Churches, the docks, anywhere that’s open. If anyone has any information please let the authorities know.’
A GoFundMe was set up by friends to help fund her last-minute trip to the island and search for her son.
Despite the appeals there was little information about his whereabouts, but he was found alive, if worse for wear, in Palma on Monday.
In an update on the fundraising page yesterday, family friend Carla Speight wrote: ‘Ben has been FOUND!’
‘Today Ben was at the British Consulate in Palma Majorca and met with Felix who is incredibly relieved at the sight of her son and being able to hug him.’
‘For now, Felix and her family are requesting some privacy whilst they get Ben back to full strength and home, and they want to extend their thanks to the press, media and public for all their support in finding him.
‘They now have the task of arranging an emergency passport alongside making sure he is well enough to fly home following treatment for dehydration and exhaustion.
‘Donations to the GoFundMe that was set up by friends will be donated to Andy’s Man Club once they arrive home over the next week.’
