A British teenager who had been missing for nearly two months was finally found safe in Kuala Lumpur, bringing an emotional end to his mother’s desperate search.
Seventeen-year-old David Balisong was discovered at a budget hotel in Pudu on Thursday night. The discovery was made by Malaysian social activist Kuan Chee Heng, widely known as Uncle Kentang, after receiving a tip-off. He immediately rushed to the hotel with David’s mother, Minerva, at around 8.30pm.
When they located David, his mother broke down in tears of relief as she embraced her son. Authorities confirmed that the teenager was unharmed, though it remains unclear how he had been sustaining himself financially during his prolonged stay.
Teen Flew to Malaysia Alone
According to police, David arrived in Malaysia on 7 June, having flown from Manchester, United Kingdom, to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. He was granted a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival. On the same day, he was last seen at KL Sentral carrying just a backpack before vanishing from contact.
The family reported him missing after repeated attempts to reach him via phone calls, emails and voice messages failed. In a surprising twist, David had sent an email to his mother on 9 July, asking her not to look for him. Despite that, Minerva travelled to Malaysia and had been actively searching for her son ever since.
Following his discovery, David was taken to a police station to record his statement. Kuala Lumpur police chief Commissioner Datuk Fadil Marsus confirmed the case, though investigations are still ongoing into his movements and motives.
Mother’s Relentless Search Pays Off
David’s disappearance had caused weeks of worry for his family in the UK and his mother in Malaysia. Minerva’s persistence and the assistance of Uncle Kentang finally brought the ordeal to a close.
For now, the family is focused on reuniting and ensuring David’s well-being. Authorities have yet to reveal whether the teenager will remain in Malaysia or return to the UK.
This case highlights the challenges families face when loved ones go missing abroad, as well as the vital role of community support and swift information-sharing in locating missing persons.