Glasgow mum Michele Bourda who vanished from Greek sun lounger: searches enter second week
The search for missing Michele Ann Joy Bourda, who vanished from her sun lounger while holidaying in Greece, has reached the two week mark.
The 59-year-old's whereabouts remain a mystery after her husband woke from a nap on the beach to find his wife, from Glasgow, gone and her belongings left behind.
I nvestigators continue to pore over clues as to what could have happened to the mum after mixed reports emerged from the scene in Kavala.
A fortnight after her disappearance from Ofrynio Beach, the Mirror looked at the five major clues surrounding the case.
Final hours before disappearance
A photograph taken the morning Michele vanished was released to Greek media five days later.
The snap shows the Glasgow-based British tourist dining at a beachside restaurant alongside her Greek husband Christos.
Retired Michele, who previously worked at BT and for a local council, could be seen chatting to Christos.
Pharmacist Christos, 66, previously said: "She had seemed quite happy that day. We went for a short swim as it was windy and there were a few waves. She then ordered a few crepes and said we could have a nice sleep after. Unfortunately, I fell asleep first, and when I woke up, she wasn't there."
Outfit clue
Michele has been described as 5ft 5in, with a slim build. She has blue eyes and shoulder-length hair.
At the time she was last seen, Michele had been wearing a distinctive outfit.
The British embassy in Greece shared a notice on social media which read: "Michele Ann BOURDA went missing on 01/08/2025 at the beach of Ofrynio in Kavala. On the day she went missing, she was wearing a swimsuit with decorative stones, yellow water shoes and red plastic sunglasses. Her life is in danger."
Foul play statement
Police have stated that they've seen no sign of foul play in their investigation, while asserting that they have not ruled out any possibilities.
The Greek missing persons charity, Lifeline Hellas, issued a Silver Alert warning that her "life is in danger" the day after she vanished. The alert read: "Her life is in danger. If you know anything, contact the Silver Alert service, 24 hours a day, at the National SOS Line 1065."
Greece's Hellenic Coast Guard launched a search operation at sea using three recreational craft, five fishing boats and two patrol boats.
Christos later criticised the police probe, claiming: "The police didn't do anything on the day. One guest who was there that day said she didn't see any police and I didn't see any police that day either, not one single policeman at the beach.
"The only thing I saw was a police car driving up and down the road to the beach. Not getting out of the car, just looking in the direction of the sea."
Christos, who first met Michele at university 36 years ago, said: "I have been searching without sleep or anything. Day and night, especially early in the morning.
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"It was hard to see at night, though, as it was so dark. For days and nights I have gone up down the coast, searched bushes, olive groves, empty houses, building sites, later I went to the hills, nothing.
[...] "The whole night before, she had been holding my hand, and you would never think anything was wrong or something like this would ever happen. I don't think my wife would have gone to somebody in the car or anything. I really don't. I have tried everywhere, but one person alone is very difficult to find something."
Temporary stay
A coast guard official said that Michele had been "residing temporarily" in Serres, northern Greece. But neighbours at home in Crookston, Glasgow, previously told the Record the couple live permanently there but regularly travel to Greece and have a holiday home there.
They said the pair had lived in Glasgow for several years after moving from England to be close to their son and shared their shock at her disappearance.
One told the Record: 'It's just horrendous. I can't imagine what the family are going through.
Swim warning
A sports instructor previously reported seeing a woman matching Michele's description swimming in deep waters, saying he had warned her not to swim further out. Police later informed Christos that the man has withdrawn his statement.
Neighbours back in Glasgow told how the couple regularly enjoyed hiking and wild swimming.
'They are very outdoorsy and active. They go out hillwalking and wild swimming.
'I feel like the longer this goes on the less likely it is that she will be found ok.'
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