Dr Michael Mosley inquest makes heartbreaking ruling on his cause of death

The broadcaster and TV doctor was missing for four days before his body was found.

An inquest into the death of Dr Michael Mosley, who died on the Greek island of Symi last June, has not produced a definitive answer.

The TV doctor, who regularly appeared on ITV’s This Morning and BBC’s The One Show, went missing on Wednesday June 5 when he didn’t return from a walk while on a holiday with his wife, Dr Clare Bailey.

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His body was found on 9 June, on a rocky slope outside the wall of a private resort – 150 yards from an area earlier searched by his four children, who had all flown out to support the search for their father.

Now, over six months on from those tragic events, the senior coroner for Buckinghamshire, Crispin Butler, has declared Dr Mosley’s cause of death as ‘indeterminate’ and ‘unascertainable’.

“It was most likely attributable either to heatstroke (accidental) or non-identified pathological cause’ due to the ‘high temperatures’,” he said.

The report added: “Michael had intentionally left his mobile phone back at the house to prevent it getting wet on the ferry.

“Later in the afternoon Michael decided he was going to walk back home rather than take the ferry.”

Described as ‘energetic and cheerful’ ahead of his walk, he took with him a rucksack, a litre of water, a biscuit, a hat and an umbrella. 

“He is understood to have died later that day.”

His toxicology report produced ‘nothing of note’. And his death ‘may have been due to a medical event or as a result of a non-traumatic accident’.

The coroner also ruled out his decease due to homicide, suicide, or an accident related to injuries. The case will remain open in case any further evidence is provided to ascertain the cause of death.

In a statement following her husband’s death, Dr Clare Bailey paid tribute her “wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband.”

She wrote: “I don’t know quite where to begin with this. It’s devastating to have lost Michael, my wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband. 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.

“My family and I have been hugely comforted by the outpouring of love from people from around the world,” she added. “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,” she added. “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. 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.”