A British woman who went missing while on holiday in Greece has been found dead. Michele Bourda, 59, disappeared from Ofrynio beach in Kavala on August 1. Her husband, Chris Bourda, who was sleeping nearby, found her missing when he woke up. Her belongings, including glasses, medication and a towel, were left behind on the sand.
Michele was last seen wearing a braided two-piece swimsuit, red sunglasses and yellow beach shoes. Despite her husband’s immediate calls for help, he says Greek police were slow to act. He criticized the police for starting their search late at night, wasting crucial hours. Boats were only sent out at night or early morning to avoid disturbing other tourists, he added.
Vhris Bourda also accused officers of dismissing his concerns and not taking the search seriously. He said the police neither used dogs, drones nor helicopters during the search. At the beach, he saw no police officers actively searching, just a police car driving by without stopping. He described the police as uninterested, sitting in the shade or playing on their phones when he visited the station.
Weeks later, Michele’s body was found on Fidonisi, a small island about 40 km down the coast. Her body was headless and partially eaten by fish. The discovery came as a tragic end to the six-week holiday meant to celebrate the couple’s 36 years of marriage.
Michele has long struggled with depression and anxiety. She previously went missing for a short time in London after losing her job but was quickly found. Her husband believes that if she had received psychiatric help and medication earlier, she might still be alive.
The couple has been visiting relatives on their trip. On the day Michele vanished, they had gone for a short swim despite windy conditions. Michele then ordered crepes and said they could have a rest afterward. Chris fell asleep and woke up to find her gone.
He expressed his sorrow and frustration over the handling of the case by Greek authorities. He has filed a complaint with the British EMbassy in Athens about the police response. He recalled feeling laughed at by local staff when asking for help the day she disappeared.
Michele worked for BT and the local council in the UK. She and Chris met at university in Germany. Their holiday ended in tragedy, leaving Chris grieving and demanding answers about the search and disappearance of his wife.
This heartbreaking case highlights the impact of timely and effective search and rescue operations. It also brings attention to mental health struggles and their potential consequences when untreated.
The British Embassy has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident. The investigation into Michele Bourda’s death is ongoing in Greece. Meanwhile, her family and friends mourn her loss deeply.
Michele Bourda’s story is a sad reminder of the importance of faster emergency responses abroad and mental health support at home.
