Man abandoned as baby in Gatwick Airport finally finds parents

‘This is quite a sensitive issue to all involved and very new to us all’

Zamira Rahim
Monday 13 May 2019 18:23 BST
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Man abandoned as baby in Gatwick Airport finally finds parents

A man who was abandoned as a baby at Gatwick Airport has found his parents, 33 years after he was discovered wrapped in a blanket on a toilet floor.

Steve Hydes, dubbed “Gary Gatwick” by the press, was found by a member of staff as a 10-day-old infant on 10 April 1986.

He spent 15 years trying to trace his birth parents and now he has confirmed that experts had analysed his DNA and solved the mystery.

“I am happy to confirm that with the very hard work of Genetic Genealogists, CeCe Moore and Helen Riding we have been able to trace and confirm my birth family,” Mr Hydes wrote in a Facebook post.

The 33-year-old said his birth mother had passed away, so he was “unable to find out exactly what happened” in the first days of his life.

His biological father is still alive, but was unaware of his son’s existence.

“I have found my birth father and siblings on both sides, who were all unaware of my existence,” Mr Hydes said.

“As you can imagine this is quite a sensitive issue to all involved and very new to us all, but I wanted to take this time to thank everyone for their continued support over the years.

“Thank you to all those who have been involved and have helped with my search.”

My Hydes was left in Gatwick dressed in two baby grows and appeared clean and well looked-after.

He previously said that he had a happy childhood with his adoptive parents, Sandra and John, and his three sisters.

Attempts to trace police files on his case failed after he was told the documents had been destroyed.

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The 33-year-old has spent a number of years publicly appealing for his genetic family to come forward.

“The work the genealogists do is incredible and for years they have worked so hard and it is thanks to them they are solving cases like mine,” he said on Saturday.

“More people are having their DNA tested every day and I hope this and my story can help raise awareness and prevent other babies from being abandoned.”

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