Full Breakdown
Missing Leeds United Fan Disappears in Barcelona Ahead of World Cup Trip
7/2/2026, 11:25:23 PM
Disappearance and Travel Plans
Michael “Mick” Hewitt, 65, a Leeds United and England supporter, was last seen in the early hours of 21 June 2024 leaving a bar in Barcelona. He had travelled to the city intending to catch a flight to Boston the next day to watch England’s World Cup match against Ghana on 23 June. Hewitt’s brother, Gary, said Michael had not shared detailed flight or accommodation plans and would only fly to Boston if he secured a match ticket.
Timeline and Investigation
- 21 June, early hours: Hewitt leaves Barcelona bar; CCTV later confirms his presence.
- 22 June, morning: British Consulate in Barcelona contacts Gary, offering a phone call with Michael; consular officer Carolina arranges the call.
- 22 June, later: West Yorkshire Police visit Hewitt’s Adel home; Interpol receives his passport details and begins a trace.
- 23 June: England’s World Cup match takes place; no record of Hewitt’s arrival in Boston.
- Following days: Family obtains bar CCTV; a travel-log website shows no entry to the United States, leading Gary to consider it “highly likely” Michael never left Barcelona.
Official Responses and On-the-Ground Details
The British Consulate confirmed Michael was reachable by phone and facilitated the call with Carolina. West Yorkshire Police verified that Hewitt had not returned to his Adel residence. Interpol’s passport trace has yet to locate him beyond Spain. The bar manager recalled Hewitt left around midnight appearing neither intoxicated nor ill, and CCTV captured his arrival and departure from the venue.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Gary cites a travel-log site that records no U.S. entry for Michael, suggesting he may have stayed in Spain. However, no conclusive evidence confirms his location after leaving the bar, leaving his whereabouts unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He’s just been pottering about in Barcelona. It turns out he was only going to fly to Boston if he got a ticket (for one of the matches) lined up, which he hasn’t. View 5 Images Mick was planning to fly to Boston if he could get a ticket to a match” — Gary Hewitt, brother
- “And she says, ‘Hi, Gary, it’s Carolina (consulate employee), I have your brother on the phone.” — Carolina, British Consulate
- “We got in touch with the last bar we knew Mick attended in Barcelona, the manager remembers him and stored the CCTV,” — Gary Hewitt, brother
- “That whole community, they've been incredible with the response and amount of shares.” — Gary Hewitt, brother
Why It Matters
The case underscores difficulties in locating missing persons abroad when travel plans are informal and highlights the mobilising power of fan networks and social media in gathering information.
What’s Next
Family members continue cooperating with Interpol and local authorities, reviewing CCTV and travel logs. The Leeds United community maintains online appeals, urging anyone with information to contact police or the British Consulate.
