A MYSTERIOUS disappearance that has bewildered investigators for more than four decades has taken a new turn.
Police have uncovered fresh insights into the baffling case of a man who went camping in Scotland over 40 years ago, and was never seen again.
Michael Bell was 27 when he left his home in Birmingham for a Scottish camping trip in May 1983, and seemingly vanished without a trace, sparking one of the region’s most enduring missing persons investigations.
The historic case has perplexed police for more than four decades, until recent new details came to light, as reported by BirminghamLive.
It is now understood that Michael disappeared following an argument with a friend while camping on the Isle of Skye.
The electrical shop storeman, eager to return home to Birmingham after a week-long trip, had a falling out with his friend who wanted to stay longer.
According to West Midlands Police’s specialist long-term investigation team, Michael grabbed his cigarettes and a lighter before storming off.
PC Shaun Reeve, who is probing the case, said: “His friend followed in the car and wanted to give him a lift to the Kyle of Lochalsh, which is close to the Isle of Skye, but on mainland Scotland.
“But Michael refused and that’s the last contact they ever had with each other.”
Michael made his way back to mainland Scotland by bus, seeking help from police officers along the way.
On May 14, 1983, he called his parents for the last time from a phone box in the small Highland village of Tyndrum, more than 120 miles from the Isle of Skye.
As he usually did, Michael told his parents where he was, and that he planned to see them back home in Birmingham the following day, after taking a bus to Glasgow.
Michael also told his mum and dad about the row he’d had with his friend, then the line suddenly went dead.
“He was never able to say goodbye or give further intentions,” police said.
It is unknown whether Michael did in fact board the bus to Glasgow as he had planned.
His parents, Kenneth and Sheila Bell, officially reported him missing two weeks after their final phone call, on May 28.
Michael was never seen or heard from again, and authorities do not believe he ever made it back to Birmingham.
PC Reeve said: “Once on the Isle of Skye they camped in the Dunvegan area the west of the isle. At one point he called his parents and sounded a little bit depressed.
“He stated it wasn’t going well as it was very cold. We don’t have much more information on that.
“I believe Michael next went into a police station in Dunvegan and asked for directions to Glasgow. He appeared confused.
“An unknown officer later placed him on a bus to Portree on the Isle of Skye. Another officer met him off the bus at Portree and placed him on the bus to Glasgow.
“Initially it first sounded like he went missing on the Isle of Skye. It now sounds like he made it to the mainland.”
Police are also trying to track down Michael’s brother, who has so far been untraceable.
While investigators have not ruled out the possibility that Michael may have gone abroad or that third-party involvement could be a factor, there is no evidence to suggest he was the victim of a crime.
It has also been confirmed that his camping companion is not considered a suspect in the case.
Although suicide cannot be entirely excluded as a possibility, authorities have stated that Michael did not indicate any suicidal intent to his family or friends, and expressed a desire to return home.
There is also the possibility that he may have experienced a medical emergency, but his body has never been found.
PC Reeve said: “I just hope someone remembers Michael. Little is known about home. He wasn’t known to police. It seems like his intention was to get home, but there’s no evidence to suggest he ever got back to Birmingham.”
His parents have made numerous heartbreaking public appeals for information over the years, clinging to the hope of finding their son.
His father attended Birmingham City football games for more than 20 years after the disappearance, holding out that one day he’d spot his son among the fans, despite the years that had passed.
Michael’s mother, Sheila Bell, still dreams about seeing her son.
She said: “If I saw him tomorrow I would be absolutely overjoyed, I really, really would. It wouldn’t matter where he had been or what he had done, nothing would matter.
“But I have very faint hope of that happening.”
Michael is described as a white British male, 5ft 9in with a slim build, auburn hair, and bluish, green eyes.
He was hard working, caring, quiet and didn’t tend to mix in large groups, according to police.
Police can be contacted on 101 or on LiveChat.
