'Exactly the guy we're looking for': How the search for Michael Mosley unfolded (2024)

The disappearance of Dr Michael Mosley caught the world's attention.

The British presenter made a name for himself after spending decades hosting science programs on the BBC, where he made health fun and accessible.

On Sunday morning, the days-long search to find Mosley on the idyllic Greek island of Symi ended when a cameraman spotted "something black" on the rocks that had been searched "I don't know how many times".

Here's how the operation unfolded.

Wednesday

  • 1:30pm (local time)

Michael Mosley was last seen by his wife, Clare Bailey Mosley, at 1:30pm on Wednesday, local time, when he went for a short stroll on his own from Agios Nikolaos beach to the fishing village of Pedi.

The route is about 1.5 kilometres long and takes roughly 20 minutes to walk.

  • 1:52pm

CCTV footage would later show Mosley wearing a cap and holding an umbrella in the main street of Pedi at 1:52pm, 20 minutes after his wife last saw him.

'Exactly the guy we're looking for': How the search for Michael Mosley unfolded (1)

On the same day, an appeal for help was posted on a Facebook group, along with a photo of Mosley standing on a beach wearing a cap, polo shirt, shorts and a backpack.

"Have you seen this man? He set off to walk back from St Nick's at about 13:30 and failed to make it home," the post said.

Greek police said a broad search operation started getting underway on Wednesday on the island of Symi.

Thursday

'Exactly the guy we're looking for': How the search for Michael Mosley unfolded (2)

Britain's Foreign Office said it was in contact with Greek authorities over the search.

Mosley's phone was found where he was staying with his wife, a police spokesperson said.

  • 11:15am

Police requested assistance from the Greek fire department to broaden the search operation on the island, which is on the eastern side of Aegean Sea and around 6.5 kilometres from Turkey.

  • 2:00pm

Greek fire fighting services, along with a drone team, arrived in Symi.

  • 7:00pm

Both a helicopter and a police dog were added to the search operation.

Friday

'Exactly the guy we're looking for': How the search for Michael Mosley unfolded (3)

The search for Mosley ramped up early on Friday, with divers joining police, firefighters and volunteers.

Mosley's four children also travelled to Symi.

Saturday

  • 6:00 am

As firefighters continued the search, Mosley's wife released a statement saying the family would "not lose hope".

"It has been three days since Michael left the beach to go for a walk," Dr Mosley said.

"The longest and most unbearable days for myself and my children.

"The search is ongoing and our family are so incredibly grateful to the people of Symi, the Greek authorities and the British Consulate who are working tirelessly to help find Michael."

Sunday

Police find a body believed to be that of Michael Mosley on Sunday morning.

A police spokesperson said the body was found on a rocky coast by a private boat.

'Exactly the guy we're looking for': How the search for Michael Mosley unfolded (4)

Antonis Mystiloglou, a cameraman for Greek state broadcaster ERT, who was on the boat, said he saw "something black" at the end of the Agia Marina beach, on the island of Symi.

As the boat moved closer, Mr Mystiloglou tried harder to identify the mysterious form in the landscape.

"We took a photo of the [camera] screen with an iPhone and zoomed it in and you can clearly see there is a man laying down with his hand on his belly […] and in his other hand he has his bag," he said.

"The description is exactly as the guy we're looking for. I'm really sorry for the family. I'm sorry that I'm the one who found him. I'm sorry."

'Exactly the guy we're looking for': How the search for Michael Mosley unfolded (5)

Mr Mystiloglou said the area had been searched "I don't know how many times."

"Yesterday the helicopter passed from this point, about 20 times. There were drones. There was everything. I think it's just bad luck."

Lefteris Papakalodoukas, the island's mayor, was on the boat when Mr Mystiloglou spotted Mosley.

The mayor said that the body appeared to have fallen down a steep slope, stopping against a fence and lying face-up with a few rocks on top of it.

"It is unclear if he had an accident or if he felt unwell," Mr Papakalodoukas told State TV ERT.

Police said he had been dead for several days.

Clare Bailey Mosey says it is "devastating to have lost Michael, my wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband."

"We had an incredibly lucky life together. We loved each other very much and were so happy together."

Dr Bailey Mosley said her 67-year-old husband "did an incredible climb, took the wrong route and collapsed where he couldn't easily be seen by the extensive search team".

"We're taking comfort in the fact that he so very nearly made it," she said.

"Some of these people on the island, who hadn't even heard of Michael, worked from dawn till dusk unasked," she added.

"I feel so lucky to have had this life with Michael."

Editor's note (11/6/24): An early version of this story said Clare Bailey Mosley reported her husband missing on Thursday morning. That information has been removed, and the story amended to confirm that an alarm was first raised on Wednesday evening.

Posted, updated

'Exactly the guy we're looking for': How the search for Michael Mosley unfolded (2024)

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