An England fan has disappeared while traveling to the World Cup after losing contact with his family during a layover in Spain. Michael Hewitt, known to friends as 'Little Mick,' was on his way to Boston to watch England play when he lost contact with his loved ones.
M Hewitt departed Leeds on June 20 and was scheduled to fly to the United States via Barcelona to attend the match against Ghana on June 23. His family has stated that he appears to have never reached his final destination. His phone is currently out of service, and his social media accounts remain inactive. The last known contact with him was in the early hours of June 21, and it is unknown if he traveled beyond Spain.
His brother, Gary Hewitt, told the Daily Mail that the family is awaiting information from Interpol regarding whether Michael traveled beyond Barcelona. Gary Hewitt expressed confusion about the lack of progress, stating that Interpol is "notoriously slow." He described the family as "totally stressed" and exploring various possibilities for his disappearance.
Gary Hewitt noted that his brother is an experienced traveler and a dedicated Leeds United fan who has followed the club to matches overseas for decades. Michael Hewitt reportedly made a last-minute decision to attend the World Cup match and did not share the full details of his travel plans or accommodation. His brother mentioned that Michael frequently travels to new cities in Europe since finishing work a few years ago and is familiar with Barcelona, suggesting he would not have become confused or lost there. "There's some reason that stopping him from getting in contact," Gary Hewitt stated.
M Hewitt's family shared an appeal for information on Facebook on Monday, detailing his itinerary and the timeline of their last contact. They reported Michael missing to West Yorkshire Police, who confirmed he had not returned to his home in Adel, west Leeds. A case has been opened with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Spanish police and the British consulate are reportedly assisting in the search.