British trainee solicitor Ben Ross is receiving treatment for dehydration and exhaustion after being found alive 12 days after he went missing in Mallorca.
But the mystery surrounding his movements continues and police still have questions about where exactly the Briton was.
Ben, who went missing from the capital 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 calls to try to find him in the sunny Spanish tourist destination.
Despite calls on social media and attempts to get police to intervene, there was no sign of the Manchester native, and Ms Robinson flew to the island on Saturday in an attempt to search for him herself.
However, she did not have to wait long to hug her son again, as they met again yesterday at the British consulate and will now begin planning her return to Britain, which will only take place after she undergoes treatment for dehydration and exhaustion.
The trainee solicitor (pictured), from Wigan, Greater Manchester, was robbed of his phone, keys and wallet on a beach while he was swimming in the sea on July 6 and then got into a fight with his flatmates shortly before he was last seen.
Ben (pictured) had sent a final email to his mother saying he could not access his bank accounts because they were protected by security via his mobile phone.
Ben Ross, pictured here with his mother Felix, went missing in Mallorca on July 10 after a series of unfortunate events.
The 26-year-old, pictured here with his mother, went missing several days after his phone and wallet were stolen in a robbery.
In a statement, Ms Robinson said: ‘I am incredibly grateful for all the help and support we have received.
“Everyone has been really amazing. We are so relieved to have found him and now we are focused on getting him back to health and getting him home safely.”
Ben went to Palma to visit a friend and take a break from his law studies in June, but after getting 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, then he got into a fight with his flatmates shortly before he was last seen on July 10.
They became angry when he entered the apartment after coming home late from reporting the robbery and threatened to evict him.
In a final email to his mother, Ben, who had previously struggled with his mental health, said he could not access his bank accounts because they were protected by security via his mobile phone.
The message added that he was “not interested in what happened next,” leaving her extremely worried for his safety.
Mrs Robinson said she called local police in Wigan and Leigh at least twice a day from July 13 to report Ben missing.
When no one called her, she turned up at the local police station on 17 July and refused to leave until an officer could take her statement. She also made a formal complaint, which she says was shelved without GMP contacting her.
A spokesman for the force said: “All details have been passed on to the Spanish authorities via the Interpol referral form, which the informant is aware of.”
“If the missing person re-enters the UK, this will be detected and reported to us.”
The trainee lawyer had initially planned to visit a friend in Palma de Mallorca and then decided to extend his stay. Pictured: Palma de Mallorca archive photo
Ben shared a photo on his social media showing that he visited the Colosseum in Rome in March.
Friends of Ben’s mother have set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for his travel and accommodation expenses while he was on the island.
Ben shared a photo on his Instagram page on June 24 from Mallorca with the caption ‘Grateful.’
On Thursday, Spanish police said a homicide unit had been put in charge of the search, as is done in Spain even when there is no evidence to suggest someone has been killed.
Before she was found, Mrs Robinson said she was “going crazy with worry” and was visiting places on the island where Ben had been staying.
He flew to Mallorca on Saturday after being granted an emergency passport following the loss of his previous documents.
Mrs Robinson told MailOnline yesterday: ‘I just want to find him, see that he’s okay and give him a big hug.
“I’ve started the search myself. I’m going to go to all the places that are open today. Churches, docks, anywhere that is open. If anyone has any information, please pass it on to the authorities.”
Friends have set up a GoFundMe account to help fund their last-minute trip to the island to search for their son.
Despite requests, there was little information about his whereabouts, but he was found alive, although badly battered, on Monday in Palma.
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 de Mallorca and met Felix, who was incredibly relieved to see his son and be able to hug him.’
‘For now, Felix and his family are asking for some privacy while 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 are now tasked with 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 Men’s Club once they get home sometime next week.’
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