Michele Ann Joy Bourda vanished on Ofryni beach in Greece while her husband was asleep.
13:37, 11 Aug 2025Updated 13:45, 11 Aug 2025
(Image: EPT News)
Fears are mounting for a Glasgow mum who mysteriously vanished from her sun lounger in Greece while her husband was sleeping.
Michele Ann Joy Bourda, 59, from Crookston, has not been seen since she disappeared from Ofryni beach near the city of Kavala at around noon on Friday, August 1.
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The alarm was raised when her Greek husband, Christos, woke to find her gone, with her belongings, including her towel, still on the lounger.
A major land and sea search was launched, with three recreational craft, five fishing boats and two patrol boats scouring the coastline, but no trace has been found.
The Hellenic Coast Guard and local police have also searched farmland, houses and a large reservoir in the surrounding area.
Michele, who moved to Glasgow from England with her husband several years ago to be close to their son, was last seen wearing a rhinestone embellished two-piece swimsuit, yellow beach shoes and red sunglasses.
Michele Ann Joy Bourda(Image: ANT1)
A local shopkeeper told the Greek media that Michele’s husband had visited his store looking for his wife soon after she vanished.
Neighbours in the couple’s quiet Crookston cul-de-sac have spoken of their shock.
One told the Record: “It’s just horrendous. I can’t imagine what the family are going through.
“The more days that pass by the likelihood of finding her well gets less and less.
“They were just trying to enjoy their retirement.”
John and Catherine Ross said they were thinking of Michele’s husband and son.
John said: “Of course we’re thinking of them. It’s a horrible thing to go through. I hope their son is ok.
“It’s been a long time now to be missing but we will keep hoping for the most positive outcome.”
Catherine added: “They are very quiet and keep themselves to themselves but will always put Christmas cards through. “They moved here because their son was studying at university.
“It’s shocking. Our thoughts are with them.”
Michele Ann Joy Bourda, 59, has gone missing from a beach in Greece (Image: Lifeline Hellas)
Another neighbour described Michele as “quiet” and “quite socially awkward” and said the couple had a property in Greece and would often holiday there for a couple of months in the summer.
They said: “They are very private and are very much home bods. It’s always just the two of them. They are polite and friendly and Michele is the quieter of the two.
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“They are very outdoorsy and active. They go out hillwalking and wild swimming.
“I feel like the longer this goes on the less likely it is that she will be found ok.”
Christos, a retired pharmacist, has voiced frustration over the Greek police response.
“Unfortunately I fell asleep and when I woke up she wasn’t there. I went back to the waiter to say my wife was missing, have you seen her, and he started laughing.”
He claims he saw no officers on the beach that day.
Michele Ann Joy Bourda disappeared from Ofrynio beach in the city of Kavala, Greece(Image: Handout)
“The police didn’t do anything on the day. One guest who was there that day said she didn’t see any police and I didn’t see any police that day either, not one single policeman at the beach.
“The only thing I saw was a police car driving up and down the road to the beach. Not getting out of the car, just looking in the direction of the sea.”
Local reports have claimed conflicting sightings, with some saying Michele was seen swimming in deep water, and others that she was walking away from the beach. None of these have been confirmed.
Greek charity Lifeline Hellas issued a Silver Alert, warning: “Her life is in danger. If you know anything, contact the Silver Alert service.”
The British Embassy in Athens has confirmed it is supporting Michele’s family and assisting local authorities.
Police say that while they have not ruled out any possibilities, there is no sign of foul play in their investigation.
Anyone in Greece with information has been urged to contact the National SOS Line 1065. The British embassy in Athens confirmed they are supporting Michele’s family and assisting local authorities.