A number of theories have been suggested since beloved television doctor Michael Mosley was confirmed dead at the weekend, with coroners in Rhodes working on a conclusion
Michael Mosley was confirmed dead at the weekend, ending any last hopes he would be found alive - and now news is awaited on what exactly happened to the beloved TV doctor.
The 67-year-old vanished after leaving his wife and friends at Agios Nikolaos beach on the Greek island of Symi last Wednesday. A huge search was launched involving police, firefighters with drones, Greek Red Cross workers, divers, a search dog and a helicopter to find him in dangerous conditions and high temperatures before his remains were found by a camera crew. The grim news was confirmed by his wife, Dr Clare Bailey Mosley, sparking sorrow in the UK and around the world.
An initial examination by a coroner has ruled out foul play but further tests are due to be carried out on the father of four in Rhodes to confirm a cause of death. Here, we take a look at three prominent theories currently being discussed as to what might have happened.
READ MORE: Cameraman who found body in search for Michael Mosley breaks down as he addresses star's family
READ MORE: Michael Mosley: Six devastating words in wife's moving statement as she confirmed star's death
Did Dr Mosley get lost?
Search teams found his remains in a rocky area of St Michael's Marina, around a 30-minute walk from the village of Pedi, where Dr Mosley was last seen on CCTV. He had earlier been relaxing with friends at Agios Nikolaos beach on Wednesday before setting off alone to the centre of the island at around 1.30pm.
When he failed to return to the accommodation he was staying in by 7.30pm, wife Clare raised the alarm. His body was found beneath a fence running around a bar on Agia Marina beach, which is surrounded by the hilly, rocky terrain. His final resting place has led to suggestions he got lost on his walk, leading to his fatal fall.
Did Dr Mosley faint on his walk?
The mayor of Symi, Eleftherios Papakalodoukas, pointed out the popular dad’s trail would have been treacherous as temperatures hit 35C yesterday. If he hadn't been carrying water, the risk of dehydration and fainting would have been significantly higher.
Given the extreme heat experienced on the island destination, fainting could well be considered as a possibility before the coroner on the island makes the final conclusion.
Did Dr Mosley fall down a cliff?
Another theory, seemingly supported by CCTV, suggests Dr Mosley fell down the rocky slope close to where he was finally found on Sunday. According to reports, footage found by a beach bar at Agia Marina shows what appears to be the TV doctor making his way down a rocky slope close to a fence before he falls out of view.
In the statement released by his wife, she said: "We're taking comfort in the fact he so very nearly made it. He did an incredible climb, took the wrong route and collapsed where he couldn't be easily seen by the extensive search team. Michael was an adventurous man, it's part of what made him so special."
The statement rather suggests Dr Mosley’s death was perhaps a tragic mix of all three theories resulting in the death of the beloved co-presenter of Trust Me, I'm A Doctor.
On Saturday, an emergency services helicopter spent hours flying across the mountainous search site on Symi between Pedi bay and Agia Marina, and hovered over the spot where the body was later found. Agia Marina bar manager Ilias Tsavaris, 38, first saw the body alongside journalists after the island’s mayor “saw something” by the fence of the bar and alerted staff.
The search effort had been widespread - operating in dangerous conditions and high temperatures - and included police, firefighters with drones, Greek Red Cross workers, divers, a search dog and a helicopter. Greek authorities shifted their focus on Saturday after CCTV footage from a house at the edge of a small marina in Pedi showed the presenter walking towards a mountainous path at about 2pm local time on Wednesday.
Sophie Laurimore, director of The Soho Agency which represented Mosley, said it is with “profound sadness” that they bid farewell to the “wise, wonderful and lovely man”. She said: “Our hearts are with Clare and the children. Michael was unique. The work he did was important. We will miss him dreadfully.”
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