A body discovered on a remote Greek island has been confirmed as that of Michele Bourda, the British tourist who went missing from a beach over a month ago. Greece’s coastguard verified that the 59-year-old, whose disappearance prompted a major search effort, was found by a passing yacht on the islet of Fidonisi.
Her husband, Christos, told the Greek news outlet Protothema, “She was identified earlier today. I am completely heartbroken. I did my best to identify my wife, but she was only bones… It’s a tragedy.”
Christos, a Greek-born pharmacist who met Michele when they were both students in Germany 36 years ago, said he plans to take legal action against local authorities for how they handled the case. “The investigation was not done properly. I’ve already filed a complaint against the police and the coastguard because they were criminally slow in responding to my wife’s disappearance. Valuable time was lost, and she might still be alive.” He added that it took police three hours just to complete a missing person report.
Michele, a mother from Glasgow, was last seen on August 1st lying on a sun lounger at Ofrinio Beach near Kavala. Her husband, who had fallen asleep on a nearby lounger, woke to find her gone. CCTV footage from earlier that day showed the couple enjoying crepes at a beach cafe. “Unfortunately, I fell asleep first, and when I woke up, she wasn’t there,” the 66-year-old said.
Her remains were eventually discovered more than 25 miles (40 km) along the coast. The couple, who lived in Scotland, had arrived in Greece for a holiday just three days earlier.
According to Christos, Michele had a history of depression but was in good spirits on the day she vanished. She left her personal items, including her medication and towel, on the lounger. Hours later, the alarm was raised and the search began. Christos claims he spent much of the first day searching frantically on his own, telling police that she had disappeared once before in the UK after losing her job at BT and becoming despondent.
“The police didn’t do anything,” he said. “One witness said she didn’t see any police at the beach that day either—not a single officer. The only thing I saw was a police car driving up and down the road to the beach. They didn’t get out of the car; they just looked toward the sea.”
The Greek missing persons charity Lifeline Hellas issued a silver alert, stating her life was “in danger” and urging Greek authorities to act when it became clear she was missing.
Initially, the search focused almost entirely on the sea. The Hellenic coastguard deployed two patrol boats, while private recreational and fishing vessels also combed the waters, extending the effort across the Strymonian Gulf. After three days with no results, Greek police took over the search, shifting focus to land.
“A coastguard official noted at the time, “After so many days, it’s very unusual that nothing has been found. Protocol requires that the police now take charge of the search.”
Rescue efforts intensified on August 10th when a specialist missing persons team arrived from Athens with three sniffer dogs. Evangelos Kollias, spokesperson for the Komotini police overseeing the investigation, said, “They were here for 15 days. We actively considered the possibility that she walked away. Officers searched on foot and in patrol cars, using drones and dogs. We were committed to continuing the search until she was found.”
Authorities now believe Michele likely drowned and that her body was carried by strong currents along the coast before being found on the privately owned island.The results of an autopsy performed by pathologists on Friday have not yet been released.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about a body found on a Greek island being identified as a missing British tourist written in a clear and natural tone
General Information
Q What happened
A A body was discovered on a Greek island and has been officially identified through forensic testing as a British tourist who had been reported missing
Q Who was the missing tourist
A Out of respect for the family and while next of kin are being informed authorities typically do not release the name publicly immediately This information is usually confirmed by local police or the familys spokesperson later
Q Which Greek island was the body found on
A The specific island is often not confirmed in initial reports or is withheld during the investigation Common islands for such tragic incidents include Crete Rhodes Corfu and the Ionian islands but it could be any
Q How was the body identified
A Identification is usually done through official forensic methods like DNA testing dental records or distinctive personal items to ensure 100 accuracy before informing the family
For Family and Friends
Q What should I do if Im worried a missing person is my relative
A You should immediately contact the local police in the area where the person went missing and also get in touch with the British Foreign Commonwealth Development Office for consular assistance
Q What is the role of the British government in this situation
A The FCDO provides support to the family of the deceased which includes guidance on local procedures translation services and information on repatriating the body back to the UK
Safety and Context
Q Is it common for tourists to go missing in Greece
A While millions of tourists visit Greece safely every year tragic incidents do occur Most are related to accidents health emergencies or misadventure rather than crime
Q What are the common dangers for tourists on Greek islands
A Risks include hiking in extreme heat without preparation strong sea currents while swimming cliff edges without safety barriers and alcoholrelated accidents
Q What practical safety tips should I follow when traveling to a Greek island
A
Tell someone your plans Always let your hotel or a friend know your itinerary for the day
