London, UK — In a shocking development that could rewrite the narrative of one of Britain’s most haunting missing persons cases, investigators have revealed that a long-erased CCTV hard drive from 2007 was recently recovered — and what it contained about Andrew Gosden’s final steps has left detectives stunned.
The discovery, which emerged during a cold-case digital forensics operation, has reignited hope that the truth about the 14-year-old’s disappearance may finally come to light, more than 18 years after he vanished.
The Lost Hard Drive
According to sources close to the investigation, the hard drive originally belonged to a private security company contracted by London Underground in 2007. It was believed to have been overwritten and discarded years ago, but a fragment was discovered in a locked evidence cabinet during a routine archive review.
Digital specialists working with Scotland Yard painstakingly rebuilt the corrupted files, managing to recover several minutes of footage surrounding Andrew’s last known movements.
What they found has shaken even the most seasoned detectives.
The Final Steps Captured
Recovered footage shows Andrew leaving King’s Cross station at 11:25 a.m. on the day he disappeared. Previously, it was believed this was his final confirmed sighting.
But the newly restored clips reveal more:
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Andrew walks purposefully down a side corridor, adjusting his bag strap.
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At 11:27 a.m., a tall man in a long coat appears several paces behind him, keeping the same pace.
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Andrew glances over his shoulder twice, visibly tense.
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At 11:28 a.m., both Andrew and the man disappear into a service exit door that had never been mentioned in public reports.
What happened next is missing — the camera feed cuts abruptly.
Detectives Stunned
The revelation that Andrew was last seen entering a restricted area with an unidentified man has horrified investigators.
“This changes everything we thought we knew,” said Detective Inspector Claire Hammond, who now leads the inquiry. “For years, we assumed Andrew walked into central London and simply disappeared. This footage shows he was not alone — and possibly coerced. The man in the long coat is now the focus of our investigation.”
The police have not confirmed whether the man was a member of staff, a commuter, or someone else entirely.
Family’s Reaction
Andrew’s father, Kevin Gosden, said the discovery left the family “shaken and furious” that such evidence could have remained buried for nearly two decades.
“For 18 years we were told there was nothing more. To learn now that there was a man, and a side exit… it’s devastating. We could have been searching in the wrong places all along,” he told reporters.
Why Was This Footage Erased?
Perhaps the most disturbing question is why the original hard drive was wiped and why these files never surfaced during the initial investigation.
Some experts believe the data may have been deliberately deleted, raising suspicions of a cover-up or negligence. Others point to outdated data retention policies from the mid-2000s.
Former detective Peter Bleksley called the revelation “an absolute scandal.”
“If this was incompetence, it’s catastrophic. If it was intentional, then somebody wanted Andrew’s trail to vanish with him.”
What Happens Next
Police have now launched an urgent appeal to identify the man in the long coat. Enhanced stills are expected to be released in the coming days. Detectives are also questioning retired Underground staff and contractors who may have had access to the service exits at the time.
The discovery has reignited national interest in the Gosden case, with missing persons charities describing it as “the most significant lead in 18 years.”
As the Gosden family brace for answers they’ve waited nearly two decades to hear, the haunting question remains: who was the man with Andrew — and why was the truth hidden for so long?