Where was the missing British trainee lawyer who disappeared for 12 days in Mallorca? Ben Ross is treated for dehydration and exhaustion and is found alive – but mystery surrounding his movements remains
British trainee lawyer Ben Ross is being treated for dehydration and exhaustion after being found alive in Mallorca 12 days after he went missing.
But the mystery surrounding his movements remains and police are wondering exactly where the Briton was.
Ben, who disappeared from the capital Palma on July 10 after his phone and wallet were stolen in a beach robbery, was found on Monday at the British consulate in the city, “suffering from dehydration and exhaustion”.
The 26-year-old was reported missing by his mother, Felix Robinson, on July 13, with desperate appeals being made to find him in the sunny Spanish tourist destination.
Despite appeals on social media and attempts to contact police, there was no sign of the Manchester resident, with Ms Robinson flying to the island herself on Saturday to look for him.
She didn’t have to wait long to hug her son again, however, as the pair were reunited at the British Consulate yesterday. They will now begin planning his return to Britain, which will only happen after he has been treated for dehydration and exhaustion.
The trainee solicitor (pictured), from Wigan, Greater Manchester, had his phone, keys and wallet stolen on a beach while he was swimming in the sea on July 6. Shortly before he was last seen, he got into an argument with his housemates.
Ben (pictured) had sent a final email to his mother saying he couldn’t access his bank accounts because they were secured via his mobile phone
Ben Ross, pictured here with his mother Felix, disappeared on July 10 in Mallorca after a series of unfortunate events
The 26-year-old, pictured here with his mother, disappeared days after his phone and wallet were stolen in a robbery
Mrs Robinson said in a statement: ‘I am so incredibly grateful for all the help and support we have received.
“Everyone has been absolutely incredible. We are so relieved to have found him and are now focused on getting him back to a completely healthy and safe home.”
Ben went to Palma in June to visit a friend and take a break from law school. After taking a temporary job, he decided to stay for the summer.
However, on July 6, his phone, keys and wallet were stolen while he was swimming in the sea. Shortly after, on July 10, he got into an argument with his housemates.
They were angry when, after coming home late from reporting the burglary, he broke into the apartment and threatened to throw him out.
Ben, who has previously struggled with his mental health, wrote in a final email to his mother that he could not access his bank accounts because they were secured via his mobile phone.
The message also said he was “not interested in what happened next,” leaving her very concerned for his safety.
Mrs Robinson claimed that from July 13, she called local police in Wigan and Leigh at least twice a day to report Ben’s disappearance.
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 filed a formal complaint, which she says was closed without any contact from GMP.
A police spokesman said: ‘All details have been passed on to the Spanish authorities via the Interpol referral form of which the informant is aware.
‘If the missing person arrives back in the UK, this will be reported and we will be informed.’
The trainee lawyer had initially planned to visit a friend in Palma, Mallorca, and later decided to extend his stay. Pictured: A stock photo of Palma de Mallorca
Ben shared a photo on his social media showing him visiting the Colosseum in Rome in March
Ben’s mother’s friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help her pay for her travel and accommodation on the island
Ben shared a photo on his Instagram page on June 24 in Mallorca with the caption ‘Grateful’
On Thursday, Spanish police said a homicide unit was leading the search, which is also common in Spain when there is no evidence that someone has been murdered.
Before she was found, Mrs Robinson said she was “going absolutely crazy with worry” and visited places on the island where Ben had been staying.
On Saturday she flew to Mallorca after receiving an emergency passport as she had lost her previous documents.
Mrs Robinson told MailOnline yesterday: ‘I just want to find him, check he’s OK and give him a big hug.
“I started the search myself. I’m going to go everywhere that’s open today. Churches, the docks, everywhere that’s open. If anyone has information, please let the authorities know.”
Friends have set up a GoFundMe to help finance her last-minute trip to the island and the search for her son.
Despite the appeals, there was little information about his whereabouts, but he was found alive in Palma on Monday, albeit in a more serious condition.
In an update on the fundraising page yesterday, family friend Carla Speight wrote: ‘Ben has been FOUND!’
‘Ben was at the British Consulate in Palma de Mallorca today and met Felix, who was extremely relieved to see her son and give him a hug.’
‘For now, Felix and her family ask for some privacy while they get Ben back to full health and home. They would like to thank the press, media and public for all the support they have given in finding him.
‘They now have the task of arranging an emergency passport and ensuring he is well enough to fly home after treatment for dehydration and exhaustion.
‘Donations to the GoFundMe set up by friends will be donated to Andy’s Man Club once they return home in the coming week.’