Missing UK Woman Found Dead on Greek Island
The body of a British mother who disappeared from her sunbed on a Greek beach has been found mutilated on a remote island, her husband has confirmed.
Disappearance on the Beach
On August 1, Chris Bourda, 66, woke from his sun lounger on Ofrynio beach, Kavala, to discover that his wife, Michele, 59, had vanished. Her personal belongings, including her glasses, money, and medication, were left behind on her sunbed.
Bourda immediately raised the alarm, stressing that Michele suffered from severe depression and anxiety. However, he claims police took more than two hours to respond, delaying the search effort.
Gruesome Discovery
Weeks later, police recovered a half-naked female body, missing its head and partially eaten by fish, near the private island of Fidonisi, about 40km from where Michele was last seen. Authorities said the swimsuit matched hers, making them “99 per cent sure” the remains belong to the missing Briton.
Formal identification is pending.
Husband’s Anguish
Chris, a pharmacist, told The Daily Mail:
“They have found her body. Sadly I was expecting this. The harbour police did not start their search until late at night … It shouldn’t take them three hours to write up a missing person’s report before starting the search.”
He criticised officers for suggesting Michele may have left willingly with another man, calling the claim “rubbish.” He stressed that she would never have gone off without her medication and essentials.
In the weeks following her disappearance, Chris searched relentlessly along the coast, in olive groves, hills, and abandoned houses, often without sleep.
“I asked the police if they think she is alive, why don’t they use dogs, drones, helicopters,” he said. “They replied, ‘Where shall we search? It’s a vast area.’”
Mental Health Struggles
Chris confirmed that Michele had previously struggled with depression and anxiety, and had once gone missing while living in London. On that occasion, police acted swiftly and found her within hours.
Her widowed husband now questions whether she may have intended to harm herself, but maintains that Greek police failed to act with urgency or compassion.
“If you are a foreigner, they do not care about you here,” he said.
