TV doctor Michael Mosley’s cause of death revealed
Devastating new details emerge about the final moments of much-loved TV star Michael Mosley as questions grow around unreleased CCTV footage.
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TV doctor Michael Mosley died of “natural causes” two-and-a-half hours after leaving his wife to walk back to his accommodation on the Greek island of Symi, an autopsy has concluded.
Dr Mosley lay down with his legs raised above his head to prevent himself from fainting in the torrid 40C heat, the autopsy has found.
The report, from Greek coroner Despina Nethena, stated Dr Mosley, 67, who had no external injuries, chose to lie down in a shaded spot on rocky ground with his legs raised on a large rock.
There is no indication that he hit his head or collapsed while walking, police have told local journalists.
The popular broadcaster was found lying in a prone position, contradicting initial reports he was found facing upwards and covered under rocks.
The coroner said the TV doctor’s body was badly decomposed, hampering his attempts to determine an exact cause of death.
The temperature on the days between Wednesday and Sunday, when Dr Mosley went missing, nudged above 40C, which accelerated decomposition.
Police and the coroner are also investigating footage from the restaurant which purportedly shows Dr Mosley wandering in a confused state for twenty minutes before collapsing.
He is seen pausing briefly by the perimeter wall, resting one hand on it, before losing his balance and disappearing from sight.
Questions are being raised over how his body was missed by the search party for so long after a search-and-rescue helicopter had circled the scene the day previously.
Initial findings from the investigation conducted in Rhodes appear to show the doctor died around 4pm on the day he went missing on his walk.
The initial findings appear to contradict the belief that Dr Mosley struggled in a fall after losing his balance in the 37C heat in Symi.
The autopsy states that Dr Mosley did not show any outward signs of injury and that no criminal activity was involved.
Footage of Dr Mosley’s final moments, which is being analysed by Greek police officials, are said to show the TV star ambling at a slow pace through the mountain in the direction of Agia Marina beach, where his family were staying.
His body was found by a fence on a rocky mountainside on the Greek island after a five day search involving drones, helicopters and specially trained dogs.
It has emerged that Greek police had CCTV footage showing Dr Michael Mosley’s final movements for four days after he disappeared, The Sun reports.
The unreleased CCTV footage captured the British TV doctor extremely close to safety before he seemed to collapse at the spot where his body was found on Sunday.
According to outlet Live News, Greek police admitted they had seen the grainy footage but claimed it was hard to identify the TV star’s body in the video as it appeared as a small dot.
The author and health guru, who pioneered the 5:2 fasting diet, was tragically found just 100 metres from the shoreline and near a beach resort at the base of a rocky mountain, but was not on a designated pathway, The Sun reports.
The CCTV footage, as seen and reported by The Sun, captured Dr Mosley walking at 3.44pm local time, two hours and 15 minutes after he left his wife at St Nikolas Beach to head back to his accommodation.
It is feared he may have taken a wrong turn, which led him to trek in the searing heat before dying.
WIFE TELLS OF DEVASTATION
The TV star’s wife Dr Clare Bailey, who was married to the TV doctor for nearly 40 years, old of her “devastation” at learning of her husband’s death.
“I don’t know quite where to begin with this. It’s devastating to have lost Michael, my wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband,” Dr Bailey said in a statement.
“We had an incredibly lucky life together. We loved each other very much and were so happy together.
“I am incredibly proud of our children, their resilience and support over the past days,” she said.
“My family and I have been hugely comforted by the outpouring of love from people from around the world. It’s clear that Michael meant a huge amount to so many of you.
“We’re taking comfort in the fact that he so very nearly made it,” Dr Bailey said.
“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.
“We are so grateful to the extraordinary people on Symi who have worked tirelessly to help find him,” she said.
“Some of these people on the island, who hadn’t even heard of Michael, worked from dawn till dusk unasked.
“We’re also very grateful to the press who have dealt with us with great respect.
“I feel so lucky to have our children and my amazing friends. Most of all, I feel so lucky to have had this life with Michael.
“Thank you all.”
TRIBUTES FLOW FOR BELOVED DOCTOR
The international best-selling author of popular books The Fast Diet and The Fast 800 was loved by fans the world over for his exuberant personality as well as his revolutionary approach to weight loss and healthy eating.
The team at The Fast 800 paid tribute to Dr Mosley, saying he was an “integral part of our lives”.
“We will remember Michael for his outstanding achievements, his compassionate nature, and his unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others. His legacy will continue to inspire us all,” the tribute read on Instagram.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed.
“Rest in peace, Michael.”
Several academics, fellow television presenters, politicians and celebrities paid tribute to Dr Mosley, including celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
Oliver called Dr Mosley a “wonderfully sweet, kind and gentle man” who “did such a lot of good for public health with his TV shows and research”.
Physicist and musician Professor Brian Cox also paid tribute, writing on X: “Tragic news about Michael Mosley. He was such an important figure both on and off screen in the BBC science unit, and as a mentor to many of us when we started out in science presenting.
“And, as many of our colleagues have already said on here, he was a genuinely lovely man. So sorry for his family. RIP Michael.”
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “The reports from the weekend are heartbreaking and our thoughts are with Dr Michael Mosley’s family, his wife Clare and friends, in what must be deeply sad times.
“We have seen some incredibly touching tributes which have made clear the huge impact that Dr Mosley had on people and helped to transform people’s lives for the better.
“He will be known as an extraordinary broadcaster who used his platform to influence and change the way we think about many public health issues.”
Dr Mosley visited Australia regularly, filming the landmark documentary series Australia’s Sleep Revolution and Australia’s Health Revolution.
The SBS On Demand streaming app has paid special tribute to the star following his death, devoting a special section to his most popular programs.
HOW TRAGIC DISCOVERY UNFOLDED
The area where Dr Mosley’s body was found had been repeatedly searched by drones but had been missed because it had been covered by rocks.
The tragic discovery was made by Ilias Tsavaris, the bar manager of local restaurant Agia Marina, who told The Sun: “I walked up 30 metres and I saw an image of a person. I said is that … I went closer and closer. I called the owners, him and the other guy, and they called the police.”
Mr Tsavaris said Dr Mosley had not gone into the restaurant.
“If he had walked through there [the bar] we would have checked the cameras,” he said. “Rescuers had searched that area everyday with helicopters.”
As the search moved towards the port, at least 100 rescuers and volunteers, and a helicopter were involved.
CCTV footage showed him walking with an umbrella to shield himself from the intense sun as he walked through the fishing village heading towards a rocky path.
The couple’s four children – Alexander, Jack, Daniel and Katherine – had flown to the island to join the search efforts.
TIMELINE OF MOSLEY’S DISAPPEARANCE
Wednesday, 1.30pm (local time): Dr Mosley was last seen leaving Saint Nikolas beach at 1.30pm on Wednesday, when he is believed to have been heading off on the coastal path back to nearby Pedi.
Wednesday, 1.50pm: Dr Mosley seen on CCTV walking through Pedi
Wednesday 2pm: Dr Mosley seen on CCTV walking up mountain path leading to 3-hour hike back to Symi Town
Wednesday, 3pm: Dr Mosley has not returned to the accommodation where he was staying with his wife even as temperatures on Symi reached more than 40C.
Wednesday, 7.30pm: Dr Mosley’s wife Dr Clare Bailey raises the alarm after he failed to return to their hotel. His phone was still in the place where the couple were staying.
Overnight Wednesday: Local authorities trace Dr Mosley’s route but are unable to find him.
Thursday, 11am: An appeal about his disappearance posted on a local Facebook group – Friends of Symi — describing Dr Mosley and asking locals to look for him.
Thursday, around 12.00pm: Greek authorities scour the coast with police extending the search area from the immediate vicinity of his disappearance.
Thursday, 7.00pm: Helicopter from Athens deployed to assist in the search for Dr Mosley. Search operation includes firefighters, volunteers, police officers, a drone, and a police dog.
Friday morning: Search resumes with divers deployed. Temperatures on Symi reach as high as 48C, making search conditions even more challenging.
Friday afternoon: CCTV images of Dr Mosley in Pedi emerge.
Friday evening: Search shifts to new mountain path after CCTV shows him entering it.
Saturday: Search continues at ‘The Abyss’, a network of water-filled “bottomless” tunnels close to Agia Marina. His wife says they are holding on to hope.
Sunday: A body is discovered beside an umbrella, on a rocky part of coastline close to ‘The Abyss’. Local authorities say it is Dr Mosley.
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