Eight theories on Michael Mosley’s disappearance as rescuers frantically search

TV personality and doctor Michael Mosley has been missing for three days, sparking a large-scale search operation and a wave of speculation about his sudden disappearance.

The 67-year-old This Morning star was holidaying on the Greek island of Symi in the Aegean Sea when he was reported missing on Wednesday, 5 June. Reports indicate that the TV doctor had gone for a hike on the scenic island but concern grew when he failed to return home.

A search operation is now in progress near St Nicholas Beach and Pedi Beach, close to where Michael was last seen. He reportedly left his accommodation at 1:30pm local time and was reported missing by his wife, Dr Clare Bailey, 62, at 7:30pm.

It was claimed on Friday, 7 June that the popular medic had told friends he wasn’t feeling well before he departed – and witnesses later saw him at a bus stop. Police are exploring several theories to explain his disappearance – from heatstroke and a fall from a height to even a snake bite, it’s been reported.

Stranded somewhere injured

One theory suggests that Mosely could be stranded somewhere. A top Greek official leading the search efforts revealed that thorough measures to find him were being put into place.

Authorities told The Sun on Thursday: “Since this morning we have had all available forces out there on the island and we have asked to bring in specially trained dogs and even a helicopter from Athens for backup up too. No stone will be left unturned. Symi is a small island, he can’t just have disappeared.”

Fall from a height

Greek police are now entertaining the grim theory that Dr Mosley may have met with misfortune, suggesting the possibility that he “fallen from a height” during his excursion near St Nicholas Beach.

The mayor of Symi, Eleftherios Papakalodoukas, has warned of the perilous nature of the island’s landscape, emphasising that the route Dr Mosley is believed to have taken is lined with “very high cliffs” and poses significant risks.

Symi, an idyllic Greek island, is renowned for its rugged terrain featuring towering mountains and precipitous cliffs, alongside tranquil beaches and hidden coves accessible only by sea.

Spotted at a bus stop before disappearing 

An island resident reported seeing Dr Mosley at a bus stop shortly before his disappearance. Proto Thema, a Greek publication, detailed the witness’s account of spotting Dr Mosley around 2pm in Pedi, at a bus stop, merely half an hour after his last known sighting at the beach.

Proto Thema further detailed that for Dr Mosley to reach his lodgings, he would have had to cover a distance of about 1,000 meters on foot before boarding a bus.

Nikitas Gryllis, Symi’s Deputy Mayor, spoke about the safety of the route, remarking: “The route is passable, it is a passable path. Many old people and foreigners do it. It is only dangerous if you go near the rocks.”

He also provided an update on sightings of the missing person: “There is testimony that he was seen at two in the afternoon at the bus stop. There is no information if he got on the bus and if he got off at a certain stop. The person who saw him has also told this to the Police and the Fire Department.”

Bitten by a venomous snake

One chilling possibility is that Dr Mosely may have encountered the “most venomous snake in Europe”, the Ottoman Viper, which inhabits Symi. These snakes are rarely involved in human incidents, and while the potency of their venom isn’t fully understood, it’s known to attack red blood cells, hinder clotting, and damage cells.

Even small amounts of the venom can be deadly for adults.

Possible risk of heatstroke 

Concerns are also being raised over the risk of heatstroke. With temperatures reaching extreme highs, Dr Mosely could have suffered from severe dehydration, leading to fainting, especially since he set out during a heatwave with temperatures hitting a blistering 35C on Wednesday. The search operations had even become “dangerous” for rescuers due to the heat.

A fall into the sea

Another distressing scenario involves a potential fall into the sea. There has been speculation that TV Doctor Michael Mosley may have fallen, with Deputy Mayor of Symi, Ilias Chaskas, confirming to the PA news agency: “Divers are looking in the water.”

Symi’s coast guard stressed, “All our patrol boats are searching… about five and also all the private boats, commercial boats know about the incident and they look for [him] also, in this area, [so this is] the private, the commercial and the patrol [boats looking].”

Dr Mosley ‘not feeling well’ 

Before setting off alone, Dr Mosley informed his wife, Dr Clare Bailey, and their friends that he was feeling under the weather.

Greek journalist Ionna Niaoti told Talk TV viewers: “It is understood that about 1.30pm local time, he said he was not feeling very well and he wanted to return home. So he went to a coastal path reaching the closest the village of Pedi, and this was the last time somebody saw him in Pedi.”

The Daily Mail acquired information from a senior police source who suggested a heart condition could possibly have contributed to the doctor’s disappearance: “He may have slipped and fallen, perhaps because of a heart attack along the way. Nothing at this stage can be ruled out”.

TV Doctor is lost on the island

During his walk, Dr Mosley did not have his mobile phone, leading some to believe he may have become lost. But residents of the island argued that one would find it “pretty difficult” to get lost there “even in the most remote areas.”

Constantina Dimoglidou, a Senior Greek Police spokesperson, disclosed the baffling circumstances: “He was at the beach of Ag. Nikolas was with another couple when he decided to go back to his home in the area of Pedi of Symi… and he forgot his phone at the beach. Any and every attempt to track him down has not produced any result.”

Under normal conditions, the stroll from Pedi Beach to St Nikolas Beach is an easy 20-minute jaunt. A local source confided to PA: “I’m having trouble understanding how you could get lost.”