Reunited After 40 Years

The Remarkable Story of Two Brothers Rediscovered Through a Free Search Service

For over four decades, Marty and Steve Thorpe lived worlds apart—separated not just by oceans, but by the spirals of life that had taken them down vastly different paths. But in early 2024, a powerful reconnection unfolded, thanks to a quiet, determined effort by the team at our Lost Contact service.

The brothers, originally from London but separated in childhood when their family emigrated to Australia, had drifted into silence. For Steve, life became increasingly unstable—marked by periods of homelessness, time in prison, and a complete detachment from digital life. For Marty, the void left by his brother’s absence never truly closed.

Then, almost on a whim, Marty reached out to the Lost Contact service—a free, confidential search initiative designed to reconnect relatives separated for years, even decades. Despite submitting little more than a name and fragmentary memories, within months he received the message he never expected:

“Your brother has been found—and he wants to reconnect.”

Steve had recently been allocated council housing in South London, which landed him on the electoral roll. That one breadcrumb was enough for Lost Contact to trace him. The brothers met this summer in London, 40 years after last seeing each other. The joy was raw and unmistakable.

Steve, with his thick London accent and tough exterior, summed it up best:

“This is the best thing that’s ever happened in my life.”

Thank you to LexisNexis Risk Solutions, without their ongoing support with this service, this reconnection would not have been possible.

The Observer made a podcast episode around reconnections with a family member, including Marty and Steve’s story, which can be found here, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Lost Contact Service

If you or someone you know is searching for a lost family member, make an application to our service. It’s free, compassionate, and may just give you the second chance you never thought possible.

Don’t wait. Reconnection might be closer than you think.

Please note, your search must fit our strict criteria, outlined here.