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Monday, 22 August 2005, 12:05 GMT 13:05 UK; 'Piano Man' discharged from care

The so-called Piano Man found wandering in April has been released from hospital after his condition improved. A national newspaper reported on Monday the man finally broke his silence, stated he was German, and flew home. West Kent NHS and Social Care Trust would not comment because of patient confidentiality but the German government confirmed he was Bavarian. The man, who was said to be an excellent pianist, was found on Sheppey in April and taken into care.

On Monday, the German foreign ministry said the 20-year-old man flew home on Saturday. He has not been named by officials. The health trust said the patient had been discharged following a marked improvement in his condition but the rules regarding patient confidentiality meant there would be no further statement. The trust also declined to comment on the circumstances in which the patient left its care.

The man was first taken to Medway Maritime Hospital where he drew a picture of a grand piano and was then taken to the hospital chapel. It was reported that health and social workers said they were "stunned" when he proceeded to give them a virtuoso performance. However, newspaper reports now suggest he was only able to play one note continuously. Theories put forward and later discounted included that the man was a French street musician and a Czech concert pianist.

The mystery man produced a pencil drawing of a piano. A Norwegian speaker was brought in to try to communicate with the man, in his 20s or early 30s, after he pointed to Oslo on a map. A ship from Norway was thought to have been in the area when he was found and there were suggestions that his suit was soaked because he had been in the sea.
His social worker Michael Camp claimed that his client "came to life" at the piano. All the labels had been removed from his clothes when he was found on The Broadway in Minster, Sheerness. Appeals led to a worldwide response which at its height generated more than 800 leads.