The body of TV Dr Michael Mosley was discovered on a hillside on the Greek Island of Symi on Sunday morning, tragically, just meters from the sanctuary of a bar and restaurant
CCTV footage showed Dr Michael Mosley collapse near where his body was found, while his widow said he “almost made it” to safety. It is unclear how he met his death: Greek forensic experts transported his body to Rhodes for an autopsy.
Dr Claire Bailey Mosley confirmed the body discovered in a rocky area off Agia Marina beach on the Greek island of Symi on Sunday morning was that of her husband, and described the loss as “devastating”. Tributes have since poured in from former co-stars and thousands of people who have heeded his health advice.
Footage found at a beach bar in Agia Marina reportedly shows the TV doctor running down a rocky slope next to a fence before falling out of sight. His bag was later found 20 feet from where the esteemed health expert was found after it was spotted by a film crew.
His widow said the 67-year-old, who went missing on Wednesday after leaving his wife and friends on the beach in Agios Nikolaos, had apparently made an “incredible climb, took the wrong path and crashed in a place he shouldn’t have landed”. Be “easy to spot” for emergency search teams.
An initial coroner’s inquest ruled out foul play but further tests will be carried out on the father-of-four, from Rhodes, to confirm the cause of death.
The news sparked great sadness among his loved ones and fans of his science shows and films, with friends and colleagues praising him for his innovations in the world of science and medical broadcasting.
His co-presenter of the BBC series Trust Me, I’m a Doctor, Chris van Tulleken, called him “one of the most important television presenters of recent decades” in his tribute.
“Michael was not just a loyal friend, he was an incredibly generous person to everyone he worked with,” Van Tulleken, in X, wrote previously on Twitter.
He also showed his love for Mosley’s family, praising his widow Claire and describing their live show together, which he watched last month, as “funny, informative, scientific, warm and family-focused.”
Dr Saleikha Ahsan, who also spoke on Trust Me, I’m a Doctor, described him as a “national treasure” and an “extremely talented” person with the ability to explain complex science in a way that everyone can understand.
Mimi Spencer, who co-wrote The Fast Diet with Mosley, praised him as an “instantly likeable, genuinely funny” person with an “innate enthusiasm for life”, and physicist and television presenter Brian Cox said he had been a “mentor” to many of those going into science broadcasting.
Mosley initially trained as a doctor in London before moving into the world of media, becoming a presenter, documentary director, author and columnist.
Announcing his death, Dr Bailey Mosley told the PA news agency in a statement through his agent: “I don’t know where to begin.”
“It is very difficult to lose Michael, my wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband. We are incredibly lucky together. We loved each other very much and were so happy together.
“I am incredibly proud of our children, their resilience and support over the last few days. My family and I have been so grateful for the outpouring of love from people all over the world. It’s clear Michael meant a lot to many of you.
“We take comfort in the fact that he almost made it. He made an incredible climb, took the wrong route and crashed where he wouldn’t be easily seen by a large search party. Michael was a brave man, that’s part of what made it so special.”
She said the family was also “very grateful to the extraordinary people on Simi” who worked “tirelessly” to find Mosley, with some working unprompted from morning to night.
“I am so lucky to have my children and my wonderful friends. But most of all, I was lucky to have such a life with Michael. Thank you all so much.”
Mosley’s four children joined their mother, a therapist and cookbook author, in Simi earlier this week to help with the search.
His body was discovered under the fence around midday on Sunday, surrounding a bar on Agia Marina beach, surrounded by hilly and rocky terrain
Police arrived in Agia Marina about 20 minutes after the body was discovered about 90 meters from the shore. Firefighters later arrived, shortly after 14:00 local time, to remove the body from the island by boat
For several hours on Saturday, an emergency helicopter flew over the mountainous search site on Symi, between Pedi Bay and Agia Marina, hovering over the area where the body was later discovered.
Agia Marina bar manager Ilias Tsavaris, 38, first saw the body near journalists after the island’s mayor “saw something” at the bar’s fence and alerted staff.
The search operation was extensive, carried out in dangerous conditions and high temperatures, and involved police, firefighters using drones, Greek Red Cross staff, divers, a search dog and a helicopter.
Greek authorities changed their focus on Saturday after CCTV footage from a house on the edge of a small marina in Pedi showed a presenter walking along a mountain path at around 2pm local time on Wednesday.
Sophie Lawrimore, director of the Soho agency which represented Mosley, said it was with “deep sadness” that they said goodbye to a “wise, wonderful and wonderful man”.
She said: “Our hearts go out to Claire and the children. Michael was one of a kind. The work he did was important. We will miss him terribly.”