Man dubbed ‘Gary Gatwick’ after being abandoned in airport toilets as a baby tracks his parents down 33 years later
Steve Hydes spent 15 years searching for his family after he was found wrapped in a shawl in 1986
A MAN dubbed "Gary Gatwick" after being found in the airport's toilets has tracked down his family after a lifetime search.
Steve Hydes was discovered when he was just 10 days old, wrapped in a shawl, by a duty-free sales assistant in 1986.
Now 33, Steve revealed he had managed to track down his biological father - but discovered his mother had tragically passed away before he could meet her.
And after finding his family, he was told they had not even known he existed.
Writing on social media, Steve - who had become known as "Gary Gatwick" after being found - said: "Some good news!
"After 15 years of searching 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.
"Unfortunately my birth mum has passed away so I am unable to find out exactly what happened and why.
"However I have found my birth father and siblings on both sides, who were all unaware of my existence."
Steve, who had been helped by genealogists to help find his family, also extended his thanks to all who had been involved in the search.
He added: "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.
"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.
"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.
"Thank you to all those who have been involved and have helped with my search. Steve."
A LIFETIME SEARCH FOR ANSWERS
Steve, who is now a dad-of-two himself, had spent years publicising his story in a desperate attempt to find his mum and dad.
Previously speaking with The Sun, he said he did not have any ill-feelings towards his parents, saying: "It’s the not knowing. Why it happened and things like that I
really want to know.
“To me it’s just a blank space that everyone else seems to have."
Just last month he had continued his appeal, writing on April 9: "Tomorrow marks 33 years since I was left at Gatwick airport.
"It would be great to find out what day I was born and what happened in them first 10 days.
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"So many questions in which I hope one day someone will answer for me."
Steve was given the name Steve Hydes when he was adopted.
He then grew up with three sisters, saying he had a "wonderful" childhood.
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