British TV presenter and health advocate Mosley found dead on Greek island of Symi
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Dr Michael Mosley was last seen at around 1.30pm on June 5.
PHOTO: BBC WORLDWIDE
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ATHENS – British TV presenter and healthy-living advocate Michael Mosley has been found dead in a rocky area on the Greek island of Symi, just metres away from his destination, a deputy mayor of the island said on June 9.
Dr Mosley, 67, had been missing since June 5 after he went for a walk alone
“It is certainly him,” Deputy Mayor Nikitas Grillis told Reuters, pending formal identification.
Police spokeswoman Constantina Dimoglidou earlier said the body of a person believed to be Dr Mosley was found in the area of Agia Marina, north of the village of Pedi and opposite the north-east beach of Agios Nikolaos where Dr Mosley had set out for his walk.
Another police official said the body was found on rocky terrain, close to the sea, dismissing earlier reports that said he was found inside a cave.
Symi Mayor Lefteris Papakalodoukas said the discovery was made after he and others, including state ERT TV journalists, were filming the area from a vessel.
“We analysed the recorded evidence and it was obvious that it was, unfortunately, Mosley,” Mr Papakalodoukas said.
“He was found 10m from the sea, 10m to 15m from his destination, the beach of Agia Marina, between a fence and a path,” he added.
State TV ERT reported that he was found lying face up with his head on a rock.
“It is unclear if he had an accident or if he felt unwell,” Mr Papakalodoukas said.
The coast guard and firefighters have been deployed to the scene. A coroner was on his way to Symi on a coast guard vessel, said a police official, who added that the body would be transferred to the neighbouring island of Rhodes.
Dr Mosley, who was on the island with his wife, was last seen alive at around 1.30pm on June 5.
Symi, part of the Dodecanese island chain, is about 16km long and has 2,500 residents.
Dr Mosley has appeared on British programmes, including the BBC series Trust Me, I’m a Doctor, the BBC’s The One Show and ITV’s This Morning. He popularised the 5:2 diet, which endorses intermittent fasting.
Dr Saleyha Ahsan, who worked with Dr Mosley at the BBC, gave her “heartfelt condolences” to Dr Mosley’s family.
“He lived and breathed his work,” she told Sky News. “He was an inspiration.” REUTERS
