WAIT FOR ANSWERS
Michael Mosley’s family ‘face months-long wait for cause of death’ as TV doc’s body expected return to UK in days
The health broadcaster will be remembered in two BBC specials airing today
THE body of Brit TV doctor Michael Mosley is set to be repatriated to the UK in days but his family could face a months-long wait for answers.
The beloved health guru, 67, died on the Greek island of Symi last week from natural causes - but the exact cause of death is still unknown.
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Dr Mosley, known for popularising the 5:2 diet and for his appearances on The One Show and This Morning, was found dead last Sunday after a gruelling five-day land, sea and air search operation.
His body is expected to now be returned to his devastated family by the weekend, officials have said, after an autopsy ruled out any foul play.
However, the precise cause of the dad-of-four's death could take months to determine because of a lack of certified labs able to carry out the advanced analysis.
Dr Grigoris Leon, head of the Hellenic society of forensic medicine, argued that it would take at least two months before the tests come back.
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He told that there are only three labs in Greece able to conduct such detailed analysis of human organs, blood, urine and saliva.
On June 5, Dr Mosley waved goodbye to his wife on a beach before embarking on a treacherous two-hour hike alone in blazing temperatures.
The walk turned out to be fatal when he is took a wrong turn and seemingly got lost or disorientated in the brutal conditions.
It took him 90 minutes to walk from the fishing village of Pedi to the resort of Agia Marina - a journey that usually takes 30 minutes.
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Only 90 seconds from safety, CCTV showed Dr Mosley appearing to stumble and then collapse close to a beach bar where his body was found on Sunday morning.
The position he was found in - legs raised on a rock and without any sign of external injuries - suggested Dr Mosley chose to lie down in a position to prevent fainting.
I was there when Michael Mosley was found & was close to tears, it's tragic he was 90 secs from help
The initial autopsy was unable to establish the cause of death because of the delay in finding the body after days of soaring temperatures that reached over 40C.
His wife, Clare Bailey Mosley, 62, confirmed his death on Sunday, stating: "We're taking comfort in the fact that 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."
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It comes as reports suggest the TV doctor was lined up to go on Strictly Come Dancing.
Dr Mosley is said to have told pals he was approached to join the cast of the show's upcoming season.
The Sun also revealed the BBC is planning to release the unfinished series of Dr Mosley's new show, Just One Thing, as a tribute to the star.
The series, which is based on a BBC Radio show that airs on Thursdays, investigates what viewers can do to improve their health and wellbeing.
He began work on the project weeks before his ill-fated holiday, and although it is not complete, execs want to air the show as a celebration of his work.
The health broadcaster and columnist will also be remembered in two BBC specials airing today.
The last interview Dr Mosley conducted will air on a programme entitled There’s Only One Michael Mosley on BBC Radio 4 at 11am on Friday.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Meanwhile, a TV special titled Michael Mosley: The Doctor Who Changed Britain will also be shown today at 8pm on BBC One.
The programme focuses on his four decades-long career and how he transformed lives through his science.
Timeline of the search Dr Mosley
WEDNESDAY JUNE 5
- 1.30pm: Dr Mosley decides to walk home alone to his holiday home in the town of Symi after going for a swim at a beach
- 1.50pm: The walk home is said to take around 20 minutes from Saint Nikolaos beach despite the doctor never making it back
- 1.52pm: CCTV catches Dr Mosley walking past a shop in Pedi
- Approx 2.20pm: Witnesses claim to have seen Dr Mosley talking to an elderly man in the town with one other person present
- 2.30pm-5pm: Doc was last seen on a house camera on a treacherous path heading towards the Agia Marina
- 7.30pm: Dr Mosley's wife, Dr Clare Bailey, raises the alarm and calls cops
THURSDAY JUNE 6
- 10.30am: Police file missing person report and the search gets underway
- 11am: Police appeal for any information
- 2pm: Six firefighters, a vehicle and a drone team were all seen arriving in Symi from Rhodes
- 7pm: Helicopters deployed over the island
- 8pm: First day of the search called off for the night
FRIDAY JUNE 7
- 7am Extra police squadrons, coast guard officials, specially-trained sniffer dogs and military helicopters helped in the search
- 5pm The first CCTV images are released of Dr Mosley with his umbrella near the Blue Corner bar
SATURDAY JUNE 8
- 7am Police launch a search of a new area of around 7km as they step up the hunt
- 10.50am: New CCTV is released showing Mosley leaving Pedi and heading towards mountainous path
- 11am Symi's mayor says 'no chance' search will be called off until he is found
- 12pm Mosley's wife Clare says the family will 'not lose hope' but confesses the last few days have been 'unbearable'
- 3pm A helicopter joins the search effort in the mountains
SUNDAY JUNE 9
- 10.50am Body found in the search close to caves known as 'The Abyss'
- 11am Police say they believe the body to be that of Dr Mosley
- 2.50pm Body removed by boat from Symi
- 3.30pm Dr Clare Bailey confirms her 'wonderful' husband's death
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