The Catch-up: Body found in hunt for British scientist missing on Greek island

What happened?

A British scientist who went missing while on holiday on a Greek island has been found dead, according to local media. Astrophysicist Natalie Christopher was reported missing by her partner after she failed to return home from a morning run. The body is thought to have been found in a ravine near to the hotel she was staying.

Rescue effort

A major operation was launched to find Dr Christopher after she went missing on Monday. A specialised Greek police unit with geolocation equipment was deployed in the search after a military helicopter transported the team to the island. Police, the fire department, coastguard and volunteers also joined the search.

A police official said her mobile phone, which had been off shortly after she was reported missing, was briefly switched on 24 hours later — providing a focus for the search — but it was unclear who had activated it. The area of Ikaria where she was reportedly running has paths along steep sea cliffs.

The couple’s hotel room was sealed off by police after bloodstains found in the room were sent for DNA analysis. Her boyfriend reportedly told police the blood was from a nosebleed Dr Christopher suffered the night before she disappeared. The two were due to return home to Cyprus the day she went missing.

Read more

Police find body in search for London scientist (Evening Standard)

Blood spots found in hotel room of British astrophysicist (The Telegraph)

Specialist team deployed in search for missing British woman (Sky News)

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