"We are still a family and made stronger. We mourn you every day, each in their own way, but you are sorely missed. One day, we'll get the answer to where you are so we can bring you back home to our arms." — Valerie Nettles
"The town of Cows sits right on the edge of the Solent. At points, the high street where Damien was last seen is less than 10 seconds walk from the water's edge. It's one of the busiest waterways in the UK with a complex tidal system. It was easy to assume at the time that Damien had simply fallen into the sea." — Reporter (from The Mirror)
"Police investigating the disappearance of a teenager on the Isle of White are taking action in response to information about the case. Damien Nettles, aged 16 of Woodville Road, Gernard Isle of White, went missing on Saturday, November 2, 1996, after a night out with friends. Hampshire Constable Aries, major crime department, is following leads established over the past year about what could have happened to Damien." — Police News Release
This episode chronicles the disappearance of 16-year-old Damian Nettles on November 2, 1996, on the Isle of Wight. Damian was last seen by his friend Chris after a night out where they attempted to enter pubs but were unsuccessful. Damian's mother, Valerie, reported him missing the following morning, but police were initially dismissive, attributing his absence to typical teenage behavior. As the hours turned into days, and then weeks, it became apparent that Damian was truly missing. His parents, Valerie and Ed, began their own search and contacted friends, only to find no leads. The local community rallied to help create posters and conduct door-to-door searches.
Valerie's investigation, aided by witness accounts and surveillance footage, revealed Damian had returned to the town of Cowes after parting ways with Chris, attempting to gain entry to more bars and visiting a chip shop. Surveillance footage from the chip shop showed Damian acting somewhat erratically, leading to speculation about drug use, though his parents stated he only used cannabis and there was no indication of harder substances. A bus driver reported picking up a boy matching Damian's description who seemed disoriented, stating "they're watching us." Despite extensive searches and witness statements, police initially focused on theories of accidental drowning or running away, allegedly mishandling evidence such as lost surveillance tapes.
Over the years, numerous rumors and theories emerged, including involvement with local drug dealers, most notably Nikki McNamara, who later died of an apparent overdose. In 2011, nearly 15 years after Damian's disappearance, five individuals were arrested on suspicion of murder but were later released on bail. Subsequent searches, including one of marshland and a property described as a "shelter of a dealer," yielded no human remains. In 2016, Valerie filed a formal complaint against the local law enforcement for mishandling the case, citing a lack of action, destroyed evidence, and poor treatment. Despite ongoing efforts and rewards for information, Damian's whereabouts remain unknown, leaving his family in a state of prolonged uncertainty, still hoping for answers and closure.