A relaxing holiday in Greece took a devastating turn for a British couple when Michele Bourda, 59, went missing from a beach in Kavala, leaving behind all her belongings, including her glasses, medication, and even her towel.
What was meant to be a sun-soaked escape from Glasgow’s grey skies became a heartbreaking ordeal that ended over a month later with Michele’s body being found on a small, private island called Fidonisi, about 40km down the coast.
Husband Blames Authorities for Lack of Help
Her husband, Chris Bourda, 66, has openly criticised local Greek authorities, claiming that police showed little urgency or concern in searching for his wife because she was a foreigner.
He told the Daily Mail that when he first reported Michele missing, harbour police were “useless,” delaying their search until late at night.
“They said they couldn’t find her and suggested she might have disappeared with an unknown man,” Chris explained.
“But I knew that wasn’t true. She would never leave without her glasses, medication, or money. The harbour police really didn’t do anything.”
Weeks of Frustration and Isolation
Chris, a pharmacist, said he spent weeks searching for his wife on his own while encountering indifference from both authorities and locals.
Even when he asked restaurant staff if they had seen her, he was met with confusion and mockery.
“People haven’t been very nice,” he said.
“If you are a foreigner, they don’t seem to care about you here.”
He also described visiting the prosecution centre to formally complain about the slow response from police, hoping his calls and timelines would be recorded.
Mental Health Challenges Ignored
Michele suffered from depression and anxiety, which Chris believes contributed to the tragedy.
He expressed frustration that mental health services, both in Greece and back home in the UK, could not have intervened earlier.
“The problem is the health system in the UK as well,” he said.
“If she had seen a psychiatrist sooner and received proper medication, she might still be alive.
Depression can be deceptive—you think everything is fine, but it isn’t.”
A Day That Turned Terrifying
The day Michele disappeared started innocently enough.
The couple had gone for a short swim, enjoying a few crepes afterward.
Chris fell asleep under the sun, and when he woke, his wife was gone.
Immediate searches were unhelpful, and even hotel staff seemed to take the situation lightly at first.
“It was only after I explained that she had psychological problems and needed police intervention that the waiter understood,” Chris recalled.
“By the time help arrived, it was already too late.”
Criticism of Search Efforts
Chris said the local police didn’t use dogs or drones during the initial search and only deployed search boats at night or early morning, supposedly to avoid disturbing tourists.
A fellow hotel guest confirmed seeing no officers on the beach the day Michele went missing.
“The only thing I saw was a police car driving up and down, not even getting out of the car,” Chris said.
“Nobody did anything to help.”
Memories of a Life Together
Michele had previously experienced depressive episodes, including a disappearance while living in London years earlier, which was thankfully resolved quickly with police assistance.
She had been in high spirits leading up to the Greek trip, enjoying time with Chris and their plans for a six-week beach holiday.
Chris recalled their last moments together vividly.
“The night before, she was holding my hand, talking about how happy we were together. I never imagined something like this could happen.”
A Call for Change
While Chris places much of the blame on Greek authorities, he also highlights the need for better mental health support back home in the UK.
He hopes that sharing his story will raise awareness about the importance of timely intervention for those struggling with depression and anxiety.