Missing British tourist confirmed dead after body found on Greek island

A body discovered on a remote Greek island has been confirmed as that of Michele Bourda, the British tourist who vanished from a beach over a month ago.

Greece’s coastguard verified that the 59-year-old, whose disappearance led to an extensive search, had been found on the islet of Fidonisi by a passing yacht.

"Identification took place earlier today," Bourda’s husband, Christos, told the Greek news outlet *Protothema*. "I am completely shattered. I did everything I could to identify her, but she was only bones… It’s an unbearable tragedy."

The Greek-born pharmacist, who met the Briton when both were university students in Germany 36 years ago, stated he would pursue legal action against local authorities for what he described as a "criminal" mishandling of the case.

"The investigation was not carried out properly," he said. "I have already lodged a complaint against the police and the coastguard for their unacceptable delays in responding to my wife’s disappearance. Critical time was wasted—she might still be alive otherwise."

He added that it took police three hours just to file a missing person’s report.

The Glasgow-born mother of one was last seen on 1 August lying on a sunbed at Ofrinio Beach, near the northern city of Kavala. Her husband had fallen asleep nearby and woke to find her gone.

Earlier, CCTV footage had captured the couple eating crepes at a beachside café. "I fell asleep first, and when I woke up, she had disappeared," the 66-year-old said.

Her remains were later discovered more than 25 miles (40km) along the coast. The couple, who lived in Scotland, had arrived in Greece for vacation just three days prior.

According to Christos, Bourda had struggled with depression in the past but had been in good spirits the day she vanished. She left her personal belongings, including medication and a towel, on the sunbed.

Hours later, after the alarm was raised, the search began. Christos, who informed police that his wife had previously gone missing in the UK after losing her job at BT, claimed he spent much of the first day searching frantically on his own.

"The police did nothing. One witness told me she didn’t see a single officer at the beach that day. The only presence I noticed was a patrol car driving up and down the road, not even stopping—just looking toward the sea."

A Greek missing persons organization, Lifeline Hellas, issued a silver alert declaring her life "in danger" and urged authorities to intensify efforts when it became clear she could not be located.

Initially, the search concentrated mainly on the sea, with the Hellenic coastguard deploying two patrol boats. Private vessels and five fishing boats also combed the waters, expanding efforts across the entire Strymonian Gulf.