Is Damien alive?

Damien Nettles - who would now 27 - disappeared from Cowes on the Isle of Wight on November 2, 1996, when he was 16.

Now a private investigator has uncovered evidence that a Damien Nettles could have surfaced in Torquay, Devon.

Hampshire detectives are investigating the sensational claims and would not rule out the possibility that Damien may still be alive.

It was also revealed the Major Crime Department was investigating "persons" using the name Damien Nettles in Britain.

Last night, Damien's mother Valerie told the Daily Echo she remained hopeful her son was alive.

Fears However, she feared the Damien Nettles in Torquay may simply share her son's name - or that someone may have stolen his identity.

"We always try to keep an open mind," she said. "Anyone could have used his name or maybe someone else has that name.

"I always do hope he is alive, but anyone who knows Damien finds it hard to imagine that he has never contacted anyone."

Isle of Wight-based private investigator Alan Rossati claims he has unearthed new evidence showing Damien could be alive, but does not want to be found.

Mr Rossati said there had been a number of sightings across southern England.

Crucially, he also found documents linking a person named Damien Nettles to two businesses at a warehouse in Torquay.

Mr Rossati, who worked free of charge for the Nettles family, said he had not found Damien, but the information indicated he was alive.

"There is quite a trail and the information I have is that Damien is still alive and that he doesn't want to be found," he said.

"I apologise if I have upset the family, but my job is only to locate missing persons, not interfere in their lives."

When the Daily Echo visited the Torquay warehouse last night there was a stack of unopened mail addressed to the mysterious businesses.

Det Insp Darren O'Callaghan, who is investigating the disappearance, said enquiries had been made to trace whether there was any sign of Damien using financial facilities.

He added: "This is based on one of the investigative hypothesese, ie that Damien may be alive and well.

"This is a normal line of enquiry and one that has been repeated at various stages."

"The Major Crime Department is conducting enquiries into persons using the name Damien Nettles, these enquiries have yet to identify any confirmed sighting.

"We have however not ruled out the possibility that Damien may be alive."

Damien vanished just before midnight on a stormy winter night after going to a party with friends in East Cowes.

After separating from friends he was seen on a security camera inside Yorkie's Chip Shop at 11.36pm.

Mrs Nettles plans to return to Britain from her home in Texas, America, for a short visit next month.

She intends to lobby the government to help establish a support group for families of missing people.