Local authorities on the Greek island of Mathraki reported that an American tourist who went missing last week was found dead on a remote beach on June 17, 2024. The deceased, 55-year-old Toby Sheets, was discovered by another tourist. This unfortunate event is the most recent in a series of tourist deaths on the Greek islands due to an unprecedented heatwave.
Sheets hailed from Floral Park, Long Island, New York and was last seen at a local café on June 11, in the company of two women who have since left Mathraki. His host, who is Greek-American, reported him missing on June 13 after finding the door of their accommodation open, the lights and air conditioning on, but no trace of Sheets. His identification and travel documents were also not found at the lodging.
Located west of Corfu, Mathraki is a small, densely forested island with a population of approximately 100. Sheets was found on a rocky beach and his body was transported to a hospital on Corfu for a post-mortem examination. The medical examiner determined that Sheets had drowned and had been in the water for several days. As the location of his body had been previously searched, it is likely that the waves washed his body ashore after the initial search.
Sheets was a longtime assistant trainer to Steve Asmussen, a member of the horse racing Hall of Fame and North America’s leading Thoroughbred horse trainer in terms of victories.
The Greek public broadcaster ERT and the Athens News Agency reported on the incident, underscoring the extreme weather conditions that Greece is currently grappling with. The nation is in the midst of its earliest recorded heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme heat has led to multiple fatalities and missing persons.
Greek officials are urging tourists to exercise caution, especially during outdoor activities in the peak heat of the day.
In recent weeks, similar incidents have occurred. A 74-year-old tourist from the Netherlands was found dead in a ravine on the island of Samos after going hiking alone. British TV presenter and columnist Dr. Michael Mosley was found dead on the island of Symi after he collapsed during a hike. His wife reported that he had taken a wrong turn shortly before reaching a marina, leading to his body being found in a less visible location.
Albert Calibet, a 59-year-old retired Deputy Sheriff from Los Angeles County, California, is also currently missing. He was last seen on Amorgos Island where he embarked on a solo hike in the extreme heat. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing for Calibet.
Also reported missing on Sikinos island are two French women, aged 64 and 73, who were supposed to meet after departing from their respective hotels. Rescue teams continue to search the rugged terrain of these islands, with the severe heat and difficult landscape adding to the challenge.
Local officials are expressing concern for the safety of tourists who may not fully comprehend the dangers of Greece’s intense summer climate. “There is a common pattern—they all went for a hike amid high temperatures,” said Petros Vassilakis, a police spokesperson for the Southern Aegean region.
In response to the heatwave, the Greek government has taken measures to reduce its impact, including closing schools and popular tourist attractions like the Acropolis during peak heat hours. Officials are also considering implementing more effective strategies to inform tourists about the risk of heat exhaustion and promote safer travel practices.
As search efforts continue for the missing tourists, Greek authorities are striving to ensure the safety of all visitors to the region.