Amnesia Sufferer Identified After Appeal

A man who was found wandering in a park and unable to remember his own name has been identified after a media appeal by doctors.

The amnesia patient, who had been called "Robert" during the appeal, is believed to be Alvydas Kanaporis, 22, from Lithuania.

Health officials in Cambridgeshire said his family had contacted the NHS to confirm his identity.

It is not known how long he has been in the UK and he still cannot remember any details from his life.

Peterborough City Hospital last week set up a phone line and released a photo of Mr Kanaporis in an attempt to solve the mystery.

He was found on May 18 in a park near Peterborough bus station and was not carrying a wallet or any identifying documents.

Mr Kanaporis did not know how he got there and had no memory of who he was.

Most amnesia sufferers recover their memory fairly quickly, but after two months he showed no signs of improvement.

The main clues to who he was were his Eastern European accent and understanding of Lithuanian and Russian. He also showed sporting ability in basketball, tennis and football.

"At times I am angry, frustrated, depressed, lost and confused," Mr Kanaporis said in a statement last week.

"I just need to find out my name and I hope someone out there will recognise me and help."

Psychiatrist Dr Manaan Kar Ray said: "Following a tremendous response to the appeal to identify 'Robert', a patient with severe amnesia who has been in our care for nearly two months, the trust has been contacted by his relatives.

"They have helped us establish his name.

"We have, of course, spoken to the patient, and this will give our work with him a new focus.

"However, as I have previously stated, this is only an initial step on what could be a long journey to help him regain his autobiographical memory.

"I would like to thank the public and the media for their interest in this case, but Alvydas has requested he is left to continue his recovery in private."

Mr Kanaporis will carry on his treatment at Peterborough's Cavell Centre mental health unit.