A BEACH robbery and a bitter flatmate row are feared to be the driving forces behind the latest Brit’s Spanish island disappearance.
Ben Ross, 26, hasn’t been seen or heard from in more than a week after vanishing from Majorca capital Palma, sparking a desperate bid to find him.
Ben vanished from Palma, the capital city of holiday hotspot Majorca
He appeared to be enjoying island life at first, posting this pic to Instagram in June
Ben’s mum plans to fly down to desperately search the streets of Palma
The backstory of the disappearance is a tale of sun-soaked island bliss turning to torment.
Ben, a budding barrister from Greater Manchester, flew to Majorca to see a friend, but decided to extend his stay to catch a break from the pressures of law studies.
He found a flat and appeared to be enjoying the move – on June 24, he posted an Instagram snap from Majorca with the caption “grateful”.
But island life soon turned sour. According to mum Felix, he was robbed on the beach on July 6, losing his phone, wallet, keys and iPad.
He reported the theft to police, but by the time he was done it was late at night and without the aid of navigation on his phone, he became lost.
He arrived home so late that his flatmates didn’t answer the door, so he decided to break in – leading to a row.
Cops were allegedly called to the flat but decided Ben had no criminal case to answer because he’d offered to pay for damage he inflicted forcing his way in.
Felix says his flatmates then made clear their intentions to kick him out.
He subsequently sent his mum a “peculiar” email in which indicated his mental health had declined.
He has not been heard from since July 10.
Mum Felix, 52, on Wednesday told The Sun these events likely made Ben want to isolate himself, with her son struggling with his mental health in previous years.
Ben is known as a spiritual lad who takes in inspiration from churches, books and historical monuments, so it’s hoped he could be finding solace in such areas.
But given he has no phone and no money, Felix is fearing the worst – particularly following the finding of Jay Slater’s body in Tenerife just days ago.
Felix plans to rush down to Majorca to start a search herself.
The mum’s plans so far have been stalled as she currently does not have a passport, but says she is pleading with the Home Office for emergency travel papers on compassionate grounds.
She’s found support from LBT Global – the charity that has supported Jay Slater’s family in Tenerife.
A GoFundMe has been established by Felix’s friend Carla, who is desperately trying to raise awareness of the case.
Funds raised will be funnelled into flights, accommodation and food.
They have promised any left over donations will be sent to Andy’s Man Club, a men’s suicide prevention charity.
Felix wants her beloved Ben back
Felix said Ben was a non-religious yet spiritual being
Ben disappeared in Palma after falling out with flatmates