The family of Michael Mosley, a British doctor and TV presenter, announced on Sunday morning that his body had been discovered on the Greek island where he was last seen. After Mosley vanished during a walk on Wednesday, an extensive search operation was launched. The discovery came as a result of this massive effort.
“Michael was a daring individual, which was one of the qualities that set him apart,” stated Dr. Clare Bailey Mosley, speaking to the Associated Press. “Losing Michael, my incredible husband, has been absolutely devastating. He was not only funny and kind, but also incredibly brilliant.” We were fortunate to have such a wonderful life together. We had a deep love for each other and enjoyed a great deal of happiness in our relationship.
According to a statement from Mosley’s wife, he unfortunately took a different path during his hike and ended up collapsing in a location that was not easily visible, as reported by The Associated Press. Earlier on Sunday, authorities confirmed the discovery of a body after an extensive multi-day search for Mosley. However, they have not yet released the identity of the remains.
CBS News affiliate BBC News reported that Greek police spokesperson Konstantia Dimoglidou stated on Monday that a preliminary post-mortem examination revealed no signs of injuries on Mosley’s body that could have led to his death. The cause of death is currently believed to be natural causes. According to Dimoglidou, Mosley’s time of death was documented as late on Wednesday afternoon, the same day he went missing, as reported to the BBC.
Searchers on a private boat discovered the body on a rocky coast, not far from the village of Pedi where Mosley was last seen. Various officials, including a police spokesperson, confirmed the discovery. The investigation is still ongoing, so the spokesperson spoke on condition of anonymity. Formal identification was still awaiting confirmation. According to a police source who spoke to the BBC, a partner of CBS News, it was revealed that the individual had been deceased “for several days.”
Mosley disappeared Wednesday afternoon on the Greek island of Symi after taking a stroll. The search operation that took place last week involved multiple agencies, including the coast guard, police, and fire officials. They utilized various resources such as drones, a police dog, and a helicopter to locate him, despite the challenging weather conditions.
Lefteris Papakalodoukas, the island’s mayor, informed The Associated Press that he was on the boat with members of the media when they spotted a body approximately 20 meters above the Agia Marina beach shortly after 10 a.m.
“We used the cameras to zoom in and confirm his identity,” he stated.
The mayor described the scene where the body was found as a steep slope, with the body lying face-up against a fence and a few rocks on top of it. Antonis Mystiloglou, a cameraman with state TV ERT, mentioned that the body was holding a leather bag in one hand.
According to the BBC, the body has already been examined by a coroner. According to police spokesperson Konstantia Dimoglidou, it is important for authorities to investigate all possibilities and ensure that foul play is not involved.
“We need to gain initial understanding of the factors contributing to the individual’s demise and whether it occurred prior to their descent to the ground,” Dimoglidou informed the BBC.
Mosley, 67, was widely recognized in Britain for his frequent appearances on television and radio, as well as his column in the Daily Mail newspaper. In 2022, he received an Emmy Award nomination for his role as an executive producer on the BBC science documentary “The Human Face.” The documentary showcased renowned personalities such as Elizabeth Hurley, Pierce Brosnan, and David Attenborough.
In addition to his 2013 book “The Fast Diet,” Mosley gained recognition internationally. He collaborated with journalist Mimi Spencer on this project. The book introduced the “5:2 diet,” a method that claimed to aid in rapid weight loss by reducing calorie intake for two days a week while maintaining a healthy diet for the remaining five days.
He later launched a fast weight loss program and has produced several films on diet and exercise.
Mosley frequently subjected his body to extreme measures to observe the impacts of his diets. He even endured the presence of tapeworms in his digestive system for six weeks as part of the BBC documentary “Infested! Living With Parasites.”
Mosley has four children with his wife, who is a doctor, author, and health columnist. In her statement to the Associated Press, Claire Bailey Mosley expressed her gratitude to the people of Symi for their relentless efforts in locating her husband.
“Some individuals on the island, who were unaware of Michael’s existence, tirelessly labored from sunrise to sunset without being prompted,” she stated. “The support and love we have received from people all over the globe has been incredibly comforting to my family and me.” It’s evident that Michael held great significance for a multitude of people.