Matthew Chapman, 24, was reported missing on April 30 after he left the UK in a van, which was later found abandoned near Tossa de Mar, 60 miles north of Barcelona
The last moments of a British tourist’s disappearance have been mapped before he vanished in Catalonia. Matthew Chapman, 24, from Doncaster, was reported missing on April 30 after he departed Manchester in a van, which was later found abandoned near Tossa de Mar, 60 miles north of Barcelona.
A two-day search and rescue mission was launched for the missing Brit involving drones and a helicopter, but it was called off late on Thursday after they were unable to find Mr Chapman.
Heartbroken parents, Jane and Andrew Chapman, initially believed their son was sleeping in his van.
Jane said: “We thought he was sleeping in his van, so that’s caused more angst. We were in the hope that he was just touring Europe and that when he ran out of money, he’d be a bit sheepish and get back in touch with his tail between his legs. That’s what we were hoping for.”
She said the family has not had any correspondence from the Spanish police following his disappearance, she told The Times.
Local authorities confirmed the missing Brit had travelled to France via the the Channel Tunnel on May 1 before spending time in Portugal and Spain. His mobile phone lost signal near Tossa de Mar, police added.
A spokesperson for the Catalan police force confirmed a two-day search had been carried out: “It was a land, sea and air search which took place on Wednesday and Thursday.
“The investigation into the missing man’s whereabouts is continuing.”
Worried Jane said she had been given “no indication” anything was wrong with her son, who had run a car valet business since 18, before his disappearance.
She added: “He’s never been in trouble, he’s always had a positive outlook on things.
“Even if he didn’t feel he could come to us with any of his troubles, there were so many other people he could have reached out to.
“We’ve had so many of his customers either directly or indirectly get in contact saying they are concerned about him.
“He’s a likeable lad, he’s very polite. Even within this little estate, the older ladies treat him like a surrogate grandson — that’s how he’s always been.”
Local media had claimed Mr Chapman might have run into financial difficulties with his business. However, his parents said it seemed “he was doing alright” and “always seemed to be busy”.
Dad Andrew Chapman said his disappearance was not planned “because he had people booked in” for the valet service.
Jane is hopeful that her son will make contact: “But it gets harder to say, ‘I need help’, the longer things go on”.