A HUMAN skeleton has been found at the bottom of a well in the Greek resort of Malia, close to where Brit tourist Steven Cook vanished almost 12 years ago.
Steven, 20, disappeared while out with friends on the first night of his holiday on the island of Crete, in September 2005.
He was last seen in a bar asking for directions to his hotel, the Hotel Frixos, but walked off in the wrong direction at the end of a night out in the Crete clubbing hotspot.
Police were called after a skeleton was discovered by workmen cleaning a well on the island close to where he disappeared.
Forensic tests are being carried out on the skeleton and Steven's family in the UK have been told of the discovery. Local media reported that early tests show no signs the deceased suffered trauma.
Officers have revealed a disposable camera and belt were found next to the body.
The remains were taken to the forensic department of Heraklion University Hospital where DNA tests will be carried out.
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Experts are developing the film for clues about its identity.
Steven's mum Pat Cook said tonight: "We have been told that a skeleton has been found - we don't know what to make of it. It was a shock to receive the call after all this time, it's upset all the family.
"But it's not the first time this sort of thing has happened. We are waiting to hear more from the Greek authorities."
The holiday was Steven's first trip abroad and despite being with pals he left a pub alone at the end of a night out.
His parents Norman and Pat, both 73, from Sandbach, Cheshire, put up a 7,000 euro reward for information about their missing son and have constantly appealed for information.
His brother Chris, 42, today wrote on a Facebook page dedicated to Steven vanishing that authorities are working on identification.
He wrote: "We have had similar situations regarding remains being discovered over the years (including a skeleton washed up on a beach near malia a week or so ago) so, as then, we just have to sit tight and let the professionals do their bit."
Liverpool fan Steven vanished in 2005, the year his team won the Champions League final in Istanbul.
When the team were 3-0 down at halftime Steven rang his brother in Cheshire.
On the 10th anniversary of the disappearance Chris said: "He said to me: 'We can do it, we've just got to believe, believe, believe'.
"That's the saying we say now when we get down."
"They [my parents] just aged overnight. Mum lost so much weight because she had no appetite. Of course they were absolutely knocked sideways and devastated.
"It is ridiculous the way it manifests itself. Even now, if I get a phone call at work and there’s a pause on the phone, I’ll get a flashback.
"We don’t really celebrate birthdays or Christmases as nothing is really the same."
Following Steven's disappearance a huge search of the island was carried out, but nothing was found.
One local said: "The owner of the well brought in a company to clean the well and empty whatever was at the bottom of it.
"They found a complete human skeleton and a small camera.
"The police and coroner were both called to the scene."
Steven's family has created the website findstevencook.co.uk to help with the search.
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