Who is Ben Ross? Missing Brit in Majorca found after 12 days
BEN Ross went missing from the Majorcan capital of Palma on July 10, 2024, sparking a massive search.
The Brit was thankfully found alive but “dehydrated and exhausted” — here’s everything you need to know.
Who is Ben Ross?
Ben Ross, 26, was living in Majorca when he disappeared on July 10, 2024.
He went missing after his valuables were stolen and he fell out with his flatmates.
He moved to the tourist hotspot in June 2024 to take a break from studying law.
The trainee barrister from Greater Manchester flew to Majorca to visit a friend, but decided to extend his stay on the Spanish island.
He was staying in Palma and posted pictures of his adventures on Instagram.
His mother, Felix Robinson, revealed he was interested in historical monuments, which may help in finding out where he was located.
What happened to Ben Ross?
On July 6, 2024, Ben set out to get a European work number and had all of his important items on his person — including his passport, phone, wallet, iPad and the keys to the apartment he was staying in.
He decided to go to the beach for a swim after finishing the process.
However, when he emerged from the sea he was shocked to discover the bag with all his possessions, including his phone, had been stolen.
Ben reported the theft to police, but by the time he was finished it was late at night and he got lost without the aid of navigation apps on his phone.
After managing to find his way back to his apartment, his flatmates didn’t let him in — despite Ben knocking on the door several times.
The distressed 26-year-old then broke his way in, sparking a row with his flatmates over damaging the door.
Cops were allegedly called out to the flat but concluded that Ben had no criminal case to answer — he offered to pay for the damage he caused.
Ben said his flatmates then made clear to him that they intended to kick him out of his home.
His mum Felix Robinson received a distressed email claiming to be from Ben from a new address.
The cryptic email detailed what had happened and that he was not interested in what happened to him next, leaving Felix seriously concerned for her son.
His mum Felix travelled to Majorca to help find her boy, with Ben’s pal Carla Speight setting up an online fundraiser on GoFundMe.
Around £4,000 has been raised, with the money intended to help with the family’s search for Ben.
When was Ben Ross found?
Ben was found alive in a “dehydrated and exhausted” state on July 22, 2024 — 12 days after he vanished from the Majorcan capital, Palma.
In an update to the GoFundMe on the afternoon of July 22, Ben’s pal Carla said he was reunited with his mum.
Carla 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.”
Felix previously told the Liverpool Echo: “He seemed to have gotten everything together but a series of unfortunate events have led him to having a breakdown.
“He’s a lovely lad, he would do absolutely anything for anyone. He’s extremely polite and he would never walk past anyone in need.
“He started having these issues a couple of years ago and it affected his studies. He was getting ready for his pupillage as he trained to be a barrister but we don’t know how it all started.”
Following the good news, his relieved mum was known to be arranging an emergency passport so Ben can travel to the UK when he is back up to “full strength”.
Temperatures on the sun-soaked island reached 32C as emergency services, friends and family all searched for Ben.
His mum 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.”