British woman found dead after vanishing on Greek beach, drowning

A British woman who vanished from a sunbed on a popular northern Greek beach on August 1 has been found dead, her husband and Greek authorities said, more than a month after a large search operation. Michele Ann Bourda, 59, was identified after a passing sailing vessel located a body on the small islet of Fidonisi roughly 40 kilometres down the coast from Ofrynio beach near Kavala, officials said. An autopsy concluded she almost certainly died by drowning and that there were no signs of foul play, forensic experts said.

Bourda was last seen lying on a lounger beside her husband, Christos Bourda, known as Chris, who later told police he had fallen asleep and awoke to find his wife missing. Her personal items, including glasses, medication and a towel, remained on the sunbed, prompting immediate concern. CCTV footage showed the couple at a beach cafe earlier that day. The remains found on Fidonisi were taken to the port of Kavala and examined by the Forensic Medical Service of Thrace.

The initial sea search was carried out by the Hellenic Coastguard, which deployed patrol boats, and was supported by private recreational and fishing vessels. A Greek missing persons charity issued a...