Michael Mosley - Coroner to investigate 'criminal act' possibility after body discovered on rocks beside beach
A coroner will "rule out the possibility that this was the result of a criminal act" following the discovery of a body in the search for missing TV presenter Michael Mosley on the Greek island of Symi.
A body, which has not yet been formally identified, found during the search for the TV doctor has been removed from Symi island on a boat. Five firefighters left the island with the body on a stretcher at around 2.45pm local time, having arrived 35 minutes earlier.
Greek Police spokeswoman Konstantia Dimoglidou had shared with the BBC: "At this moment, a coroner is heading to Symi because we have to completely rule out the possibility that this was the result of a criminal act."
Dr Michael Mosley, who is known for his documentaries and appearances on The One Show and This Morning, was last seen by friends at Agios Nikolaos beach on Wednesday, 5 June before he went for a walk to the centre of the island.
His sudden disappearance triggered a massive five-day search involving police, firefighters, the Red Cross, volunteers and members of Dr Mosley's family.
A body was then today, Sunday 9 June, beneath a fence that surrounds a bar on Agia Marina beach. The area is characterised by hilly, rocky terrain that leads down to the sea, reports the Mirror.
In a heartbreaking update on the search this morning, Mayor Eleftherios Papakaloudoukas said: "During our search, and as we were approaching a cave next to the Agia Marina beach, we were shooting along the coastline with cameras.
"We saw an object next to a fence on the beach and when we zoomed in we realised that it was Michael Mosley's body.
"He had probably fallen from a short cliff of about 10 metres."
According to bar staff, helicopters had been scouring the area "every day". Ilias Tsavaris, 38, the manager of Agia Marina bar, discovered the body alongside journalists.
He revealed that the island's mayor "saw something" near the bar's fence and alerted the staff.
He shared: "They saw it with the boat. The mayor came and saw something so that is when they called me and said 'Hey they saw something go and check there.
"They called me, they said 'You know what we saw something from far away, can you go and check' so I went there."
"So when I walked up I saw something like a body to make sure. You don't see a dead body every day, it is not a warzone, it's summer you are supposed to have fun and swimming.
"He came from Pedi OK, and he walked not through the restaurant. If he had walked through there (the bar) we would have checked the cameras."
He added that "rescuers had searched that area everyday with helicopters".
Greek authorities had shifted their focus to a mountainous area after CCTV footage from a house emerged which appeared to show the presenter walking towards a mountainous path at about 2pm local time on Wednesday.
New footage released on Saturday also appeared to show Michael walking unimpeded with an umbrella near to the marina.
Yesterday, Michael's wife Dr Clare Bailey made a heartfelt pledge to "not lose hope" as the search for her missing husband continues.
In her first public statement since his disappearance, Clare shared: "It has been three days since Michael left the beach to go for a walk.
"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. We will not lose hope."
