The distraught family of missing rugby and X Factor star Levi Davis, who vanished in Barcelona three months ago, say they have received a new information that he may have been snatched off the streets in the Catalan capital and kidnapped by British gangsters.
Former Bath rugby player Levi, 24, went missing on October 29 after leaving a friend in Ibiza to get the ferry to Barcelona alone.
Now his mother Julie Davis says a private detective working on the case has uncovered that the 5ft 9in rugby star may have been kidnapped by criminals from London in a dispute over money, in what they believe could be a major breakthrough.
Detectives searching for Levi in Catalonia have been notified and are treating the tip seriously, although the case remains a missing person enquiry.
Former Bath rugby player Levi, 24, (pictured in September 2019) went missing on October 29 after leaving a friend in Ibiza to get the ferry to Barcelona alone
Now his mother Julie Davis (pictured with an image of herself and Levi) says a private detective working on the case has uncovered that the 5ft 9in rugby star may have been kidnapped by criminals from London in a dispute over money, in what they believe could be a major breakthrough
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, distraught Julie said the investigator had received an anonymous tip several days ago to say that her son had got into a dispute with criminals two years ago while he was playing rugby for Ealing Trailfinders in 2020.
‘We desperately need to know more because this could change the whole nature of the investigation,’ she said. ‘The anonymous tip was given to private investigators who are helping police look for Levi.
‘The person was very cagey and revealed very little details other than to say that ‘persons in the UK are involved in Levi’s disappearance’ and that it stems from a falling out he apparently had with a gang in London when he played rugby there.
‘I do know of some difficulties he had with some people who showed up to his flat in Ealing but don’t know what the disagreement was about or how serious it was.
‘But this is a very important piece of information to come to light and the police in Barcelona are aware.
‘We need that anonymous tipster – and any others who may know something – to get in touch and tell us more because this could now become a suspected abduction and may explain why my son has seemingly disappeared without a trace.’
Gavin Burrows, the private detector, added: ‘We’ve received several anonymous pieces of information that point to the fact that Levi’s disappearance is not voluntary.
‘There are definitely people in both London and Barcelona who know what’s happened to him and we are following the leads we have been given.’
MailOnline obtained CCTV footage showing rugby star Levi Davis leaving the Old Irish Pub on the bustling La Rambla street on October 29 at 10.05pm
Levi’s family and friends are growing increasingly worried for his safety.
He has not been seen since leaving the Old Irish Pub on Barcelona’s bustling La Rambla in October.
Missing posters have been plastered all over Barcelona in an effort to find Levi Davis
Security cameras caught him leaving the bar, where he had enjoyed a pint while watching football, at 10.05pm.
He walked the short distance north on La Rambla to the Hard Rock Cafe where the trail has gone cold.
Police say Levi has still not used his phone nor either of his two bank accounts in the nearly three months he has been missing.
There have been no credible sightings of him and his passport was found by police in November, meaning he is unable to travel, rent accommodation or even book into a hotel.
Levi had only been in Barcelona for three hours, having arrived at the ferry port at 7pm following an eight-hour crossing from Ibiza, where he had been on holiday with friends.
The last time his phone signal was picked up was close to the city’s Sants mainline train station overnight on October 29, which is just over two miles from the Old Irish Pub, which Mr Davis visited for just 35 minutes.
Mr Davis travelled on a ferry from Ibiza to Barcelona from where he went missing
Mr Davis starred on Celebrity X Factor in 2019 alongside fellow rugby stars Ben Foden and Thom Evans in a singing group known as Try Star. He was also on E4’s Celebs Go Dating in 2020
He ordered a pint of Heineken and watched the Liverpool vs Leeds game on television as well as a live singer before leaving, according to the barmaid who served him.
Levi twice sent his mother video messages shortly before his disappearance. One on the ferry and another while he was watching the singer perform in the Old Irish Pub.
Security cameras caught him heading out the venue – towards the Hard Rock Cafe – carrying a small black rucksack and wearing a white short-sleeved T-shirt, black trousers and black and white trainers.
Missing posters have been plastered all over the Catalan city in an urgent appeal for information of his whereabouts.
Levi played Premiership rugby union for Bath between 2017 and 2020, when he joined Ealing Trailfinders. A year later he signed for Worthing Raiders.
He starred on Celebrity X Factor in 2019 alongside fellow rugby stars Ben Foden and Thom Evans in a singing group known as Try Star. He was also on E4’s Celebs Go Dating in 2020.
Levi’s family have set up a GoFundMe page to appeal for donations to help continue the search.
