Found Deceased Michele Ann Joy Bourda, 59, British tourist, suddenly disappeared from Ofrynio beach in Kavala, Greece, 1 Aug 2025

[Sarahlou]

Husband of Brit who vanished from sunbed describes his nightmare

Chris Bourda, 66, has slammed the Greek police for their lack of urgency in searching for his wife Michele, 59, who disappeared from Ofrynio beach in the city of Kavala at around noon on Friday.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Speaking to the Daily Mail from Greece, where he is still desperately searching for his wife Mr Bourda 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.

'I quickly ran to the toilet and knocked on the ladies but she wasn't in there. I then ran to the beach to look again in the water.

'I asked the people behind us if they had seen her, they said no but then later they sent a photograph to the police which had shown us eating crepes in the background.

'I then quickly went back to the waiter to say my wife was missing, have you seen her and he started laughing.'

It was only after Mr Bourda explained to the waiter that his wife had 'psychological problems and needed to call the police' that the barman realised the gravity of the situation.

He then asked for help from a local shopkeeper who rang the police, but officers did not arrive at the scene until two hours later, forcing Mr Bourda to continue his search alone

Another quote from this article:

Pharmacist Mr Bourda said that his wife, who worked at BT before working at a local council, had suffered intermittently from episodes of depression and anxiety for a number of years.

She had disappeared on one occasion before when they lived in London after suffering from a bout of depression after being made redundant but fortunately the police acted quickly and fortunately the mother-of-one was found that night.

 

[Dotta]

I wonder if the woman was taking meds for depression regularly.
Psychotherapy is also very important, complementing the medication.

In the case of recurrent depression,
the time of use of meds takes years, sometimes even indefinite.

JMO

 

[Hexe]

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.

'I quickly ran to the toilet and knocked on the ladies but she wasn't in there. I then ran to the beach to look again in the water.

I would want to know what psychological issues Mrs Bourda has, as we heard only about a situational depression from five years ago. Yet Mr Bourda got panicked out his mind when he found his adult, able bodied wife was not on the beach chair next to him. Why? What is he not saying?

 

[Cinister09]

I would want to know what psychological issues Mrs Bourda has, as we heard only about a situational depression from five years ago. Yet Mr Bourda got panicked out his mind when he found his adult, able bodied wife was not on the beach chair next to him. Why? What is he not saying?

Potentially because of this?

"Mrs Bourda became ill again in February, however, was in the process of recovering and had been in high spirits."

Daily Mail Article

 

[Dotta]

Potentially because of this?

"Mrs Bourda became ill again in February, however, was in the process of recovering and had been in high spirits."

Daily Mail Article

"In high spirits" is usually a red flag
(with people suffering from depression)

JMO

 

[Hexe]

Potentially because of this?

"Mrs Bourda became ill again in February, however, was in the process of recovering and had been in high spirits."

Daily Mail Article

Still, I find it weird he panicked, as his wife has been allegedly in recovery and there is no hint she was suicidal ever in her life. There is an epidemic of depression, there are multiple depressed people around me, yet their nearest and dearest do not panic every time the depressed person gets out of their sight, unless that person has a history of self harm or some other mental issues, like dementia.

I am still baffled by her clothing situation too. On every picture published Michele is dressed for comfort, not for fashion or sexiness. I do not see her juggling on the beach with multiple bathing suits and glasses. Weird.

 

[Sarahlou]

"In high spirits" is a red flag
( with people suffering with depression)

JMO

Exactly. That stood out to me too.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I don't think Michele looked even a little bit happy in any of the photos, not even the cafe one.

 

[Cinister09]

I am still baffled by her clothing situation too. On every picture published Michele is dressed for comfort, not for fashion or sexiness. I do not see her juggling on the beach with multiple bathing suits and glasses. Weird.

It could be something like this over a swimsuit maybe?

 

[Skigh]

I don't think Michele looked even a little bit happy in any of the photos, not even the cafe one.

She is standing in the same way in nearly all the photos, standing straight with her arms by her side.

 

[Inthedetails]

Perhaps he feels less and less confident it was Michele

Yes, I realize that. But I'm saying I was thinking she was lost at sea and now I don't know what happened.

jmopinion

 

[elliefant]

Yes, I realize that. But I'm saying I was thinking she was lost at sea and now I don't know what happened.

jmopinion

Same

 

[Kittypoo]

I don't think Michele looked even a little bit happy in any of the photos, not even the cafe one.

Flat affect? Can be linked to depression, certain medications, brain conditions

 

[Plod]

So we have pictures of her at beach cafe that morning with husband. good that's facing the camera so we can see her face. If he fell asleep, would sudden movement of her leaving the sunbed/area beside him, not wake him? Generally any movement around me wakens me. Wonder how long between eating and potential swimming? Because we're always warned, dont swim on a full stomach, and it can lead to cramps and issues in the water. Added to what has been said about swimming in that part of the beach. Plus if she'd been asleep herself, is on medication, she could have woken disorientated, and wandered away, or headed out to swim. It looks like a terrible accident.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

The cafe photo looks like it's taken from inside the cafe, but the husband said it was a photo that someone took on the beach which just happened to include him and his wife at the cafe.

Maybe there is a second photo ?

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Some people are very deep sleepers, some are light like me and any noise or movement would wake me.

I've known from experience of some family members who seem to sleep through any amount of noise.
I don't know if this is true or not, but all the heavy sleepers I've known have been men.

 

[Inthedetails]

Some people are very deep sleepers, some are light like me and any noise or movement would wake me.

I've known from experience of some family members who seem to sleep through any amount of noise.
I don't know if this is true or not, but all the heavy sleepers I've known have been men.

I can understand not noticing that his wife left while he napped in hot weather on the beach.

FWIW, I don't think he would say the police didn't help enough if he were in any way responsible. I do think he is distressed and feeling alone in the search.

jmopinion

 

[Plod]

She apparently left her shoes, and every thing else. She's not going to get very far by land really, unless she had a spare pair. But then no money or phone? The sea really is the only likely solution, unless she fell somewhere and hasn't been found yet. Tbh, I can see why the police didn't react straight away, but as she hadnt returned by dark, then they should have been more active.

 

[Inthedetails]

She apparently left her shoes, and every thing else. She's not going to get very far by land really, unless she had a spare pair. But then no money or phone? The sea really is the only likely solution, unless she fell somewhere and hasn't been found yet. Tbh, I can see why the police didn't react straight away, but as she hadnt returned by dark, then they should have been more active.

Yes, the ocean seems the likely place. But, given the heat, could she have succumbed on an impromptu hike or walk? Perhaps she intended to return, but fell or got lost and then suffered from the heat.

jmopinion

 

[MesquiteO21]

It looks as though she has lived in Glasgow since 2018 and that her husband may be Greek. That may explain why she was on holiday in a part of Greece not generally frequented by Brits.

View attachment 606018

why is his name listed as 'Bourdas' but hers as 'Bourda'?

MOO