The search for Michele Bourda ended in tragedy as her body was discovered on a remote island following her disappearance from a Greek beach.
UPDATE AT 12:00 PM – In a tragic development, 59-year-old Michele Bourda has been confirmed dead after going missing from a beach in Kavala, Greece, on August 1. Her husband, Chris Bourda, expressed devastation upon learning that police had identified a body on Fidonisi, a small island approximately 40 kilometers from where she was last seen.
The confirmation was communicated during a phone call from officers who stated they were ‘99% sure’ it was Michele, based on the tankini she was wearing at the time of her disappearance.
Details of the Incident
Chris Bourda reported that he was asleep on the beach when Michele vanished.
In an emotional statement, he criticized the harbor police for their delayed response, alleging it took them hours to initiate a search. ‘They said she had disappeared with an unknown man, but this was rubbish. I think the harbor police really didn’t do anything,’ he lamented.
Chris emphasized that Michele would not have left her belongings behind, including her money and medication.
On the day before her disappearance, Chris described Michele as being in good spirits. They had enjoyed a swim and shared some crepes before he fell asleep. When he awoke, she was gone. This incident marks a tragic turn in Michele’s struggle with mental health, as she had previously experienced bouts of depression and anxiety.
The police’s handling of the case has come under scrutiny, with Chris seeking accountability for what he perceives as a slow response. ‘It shouldn’t take them three hours to write up a missing person’s report before starting the search,’ he stated. He had visited the prosecution center just the day before to voice his concerns regarding the police’s actions during the initial hours of the search.
Witness accounts from the beach on the day Michele went missing corroborate Chris’s claims. One hotel guest noted the absence of police presence. The Mirror has contacted both Greek police and the Foreign Office for comments regarding the investigation and their procedures.
Background on Michele Bourda
Michele Bourda was a mother who had previously faced challenges related to her mental health. She had briefly gone missing in London during a period of unemployment but was located by police on the same day. Despite earlier struggles, Chris noted that she seemed to be recovering and was in positive spirits leading up to their trip to Greece.
This tragic incident underscores the importance of timely responses in missing person cases and raises critical questions about the protocols in place for search and rescue operations in tourist areas. As the investigation continues, Chris Bourda has made it clear that he will be seeking answers regarding the circumstances that led to his wife’s untimely death.
