British tourist’s body found without head after being missing in Greece for more than a month

The body of a British woman holidaying in Greece was recently discovered by authorities although her corpse was so decomposed she had to be identified by her clothing.

Michele Bourda went missing in the Greek city of Kavala on August 1. Her husband, Chris Bourda, had fallen asleep next to her on a couple of sunbeds. When he awoke, Michele was nowhere to be found, she had left her belongings including her glasses, medication and towel on the sunbed.

Michele’s body was discovered a month later

After more than a month of fruitless searching the 59-year-old’s body was spotted floating in the water near Fidonisi island by a passing yacht. Her body had been pulled by the water nearly 40km down the coast from where she had initially gone missing. 

“They have found her body. Sadly I was expecting this,” a devastated Mr. Bourda told the Daily Mail. He lamented the slow response from local authorities, claiming that the delay could have cost his wife’s life, “The problem is the harbour police did not start their search until late at night and I don’t know what effect that had.”

Despite Chris emphasizing the urgency of the case, and the fact that his wife had battled with bouts of depression in the past, his pleas were seemingly ignored. “They said they couldn’t find her, they claimed she had disappeared with an unknown man, but this was rubbish,” Chris told the Mail.

When her body was finally found Chris had to identify her by her clothing. “The swimsuit she was wearing, bought in the UK, was central to her being identified,” forensic scientist Nikos Kifnidis told The Sun. Michele’s body was missing her head and was severely decomposed.

What was the cause of death?

Medical experts were quick to rule out foul play and it was soon confirmed that Michele Bourda had almost certainly died “as a result of drowning.” Kifnidis stated, “There were no other injuries… I have concluded her death was a result of drowning in the water.”

After such a long period of time it seems her body had deteriorated greatly in the water as the elements and aquatic life had taken a toll on Michele’s remains. “I am utterly devastated.” Chris told local outlet, Protothema, on Saturday, “I did what I could to recognise my wife because she was only bones… it’s a tragedy.”

Chris also revealed that he had filed an official complaint against the police and coastguard accusing them of being “criminally slow in dealing with my wife’s disappearance.” Mr. Bourda met Michele 36 years ago as a university student in Germany. The couple had been happily enjoying a long holiday together after visiting family.