Appeal 13 years after Damien Nettles disappeared in 1996 (From This is Hampshire)

Appeal 13 years after Damien Nettles disappeared in 1996

11:26am Monday 2nd November 2009

Print
Email
Share
Comments(0)

THE mother of an Isle of Wight teenager who vanished 13 years ago today says she has not given up hope of solving the mystery of her son’s disappearance.

Damien Nettles went missing after a night out with friends in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, on November 2, 1996, when he was aged 16.

Despite many media appeals and lengthy enquiries, Damien hasn’t been seen since. Hampshire Constabulary today launched a poster campaign featuring Damien in the hope of attracting new leads.

Speaking from her home in the United States, his mother, Valerie, said the case of Jaycee Lee Dugard, who escaped her kidnapper after 18 years, had given her hope. “Hearing of cases that have been solved after many years keeps me focused on finding Damien. It reminds me that I must not give up searching for answers,” Mrs Nettles said.

“I do think something bad happened and that someone knows about it. We just need one person to come forward with the right bit of information to help bring this all to some form of closure.

“Damien is our son and we love him dearly and for this to happen is beyond words to describe the torment and anguish we feel. We need closure.”

At the time he disappeared Damien was about 6ft 3ins, slim and possibly still growing. He had had a short haircut, but was known to favour longer hair. He had talked about growing a beard, probably favouring a goatee style and he had a small scar under his chin.

Damien Nettles Appeal poster

Details of Damien's case will also be featured on the casebook section of the Hampshire Constabulary website that can be found at www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/news/casebook.

If you have any information that could shed light on what happened go to damiennettles.com or call the charity Missing People on 0500 700 700 or Hampshire Constabulary on 0845 045 45 45.