Mum of Brit, 25, who vanished in Sardinia a year ago says she’s living through ‘never-ending nightmare’

Published on July 12, 2025 at 10:25 PM

THE mother of a Brit man who went missing in Sardinia a year ago has said she’s been “broken”; since his disappearance.

Michael Frison suddenly vanished on the Italian island, where he had just arrived to do volunteer work on a farm, in July 2024.

Selfie of a smiling man with long hair wearing a sun hat, taken outdoors.
Michael was reported missing in Sardinia
Couple toasting with drinks on a beach.
He vanished on 13 July 2024, just the day after he arrived on the Mediterranean island

Map showing the route of missing Brit Michael Frison's travels in Sardinia, indicating where he vanished.

A year on from his disappearance, Michael’s mother Cristina Pittalis has told Sky of her anguish over what happened to him.

“I’m trying not to lose my mind,”; she said as she recounted the .

“He was in a rush but absolutely clear in his speech, I didn’t detect any confusion in his state of mind.”;

Michael, 26, , just the day after he arrived on the Mediterranean island.

Cristina, who is from , told the broadcaster: “Human beings do not disappear from the face of without leaving traces unless ... something extremely bad happened to them.”;

Her son had reportedly gone for a walk, and returned in a confused state and showing signs of heatstroke.

After this, he went for a second walk – from which he never returned.

His clothes and trainers were later found close by.

Michael’s mum told is was “extremely unlikely”; he would suffer heatstroke as he had lived on the island before.

It would also be “completely out of character”; to wander off barefoot and leave his belongings behind, she added.

She has now moved to Sardinia along with her other son, 11, in an attempt to look for Michael.

Cristina, who is originally from Sassari in the island’s northwest, said she is “extremely worried because there are no traces of Michael”;.

Although a local into his whereabouts is ongoing, Michael’s mum wants Interpol to step in to help with the search.

“It’s a never-ending nightmare,”; she said. “There’s no real accountability... I am here and I am broken.”;

Cristina said that “during the past 12 months, the area was constantly searched, through woodland, caves, mountains”; – but nothing was found.

She is also calling for a woman from who is believed to have been with Michael in the days leading up to his disappearance to come forward with any available information.

One of her friends previously set up a to help with the search that raised more than £10,000.

The was aimed at supporting various costs including travel, legal fees and awareness .

Cristina further told Sky of the impact Michael’s disappearance has had on his younger half-brother Emanuele.

Emanuele’s father died back in 2017.

“He’s devastated,”; she said. “The three of us were extremely close, the two of them, they used to do everything together.”;

She added that for him “it’s horrible, he lost his father and now he lost his brother.”;

A woman kissing a man on the cheek.
Michael’s mum told Sky News is was “extremely unlikely”; he would suffer heatstroke as he had lived on the island before
Photo of a young man and woman.
A local investigation into his whereabouts is ongoing

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