Michael Mosley's heartbreaking final act before dying of 'natural causes' in searing heat

Dr Michael Mosley chose to lie down on the mountain slope before losing consciousness, just a 90-second walk, or 79 metres, away from help, a coroner concluded.

With no signs of any external injuries, the way he was positioned suggests that Dr Mosley chose to lie down with his legs raised on a rock. There are no indications that he took a hit to the head or that he collapsed while walking, police sources said.

It appears that Mosely was following routine NHS medical advice to prevent fainting. He had been walking for over two hours and was found in a shaded spot by the wall, having taken off his rucksack. 

Agia Marina, a beach resort where he was found, was said to be one of the hottest areas in the region.

Temperatures between Wednesday and Sunday were sometimes above 40℃, which accelerated the decomposition of the body. 

As a result, Rhodes coroner Despina Nethena is said to have found that the condition of the body has made it impossible to determine a cause of death so far. Further testing is underway before an exact cause of death can be determined. 

Mosely was found just a 90-second walk and 79 metres from the beach resort which could have offered shade and water. 

Symi Mayor Lefteris Papakaloudoukas said the island was " in complete shock", adding: “Everyone wanted to find him alive. It's been hard, very hard and no one ever thought we'd ever find him where we did, so near to the beach.”

Mosley is believed to have gone off track, with the walk from Pedi to Agia Marina taking 30 to 40 minutes. He was last seen on camera in Pedi at 1.52pm, before being picked up by CCTV at the top of the perimeter of Agia Marina at 3.44pm, meaning he was up on the mountainous walking route for an hour and 45 minutes. 

It is believed that he took a wrong turn on his return to Symi town, around the next headland. He is then seen struggling down the rocky mountain before making his way to the wall.  

Questions remain as to how it took five days before a barman and a The Sun journalist found Dr Mosley. Bar manager Ilias Tsavaris, 38, who found the body, told The Sun: "It's unreal. The helicopters didn't see him. Why?” Search crews had searched the area less than 50 metres from where he was found the day before, while a low-flying helicopter flew around the area for hours.

On Monday, his friends arrived at the spot and laid a single white flower - an oleander - a symbol in Greek mythology of charm, and is associated with a poignant tale of lovers where the man died against rocks.

On Sunday, his wife, Dr Clare Bailey Mosley, also 67, said: “He so very nearly made it”, while paying tribute to her “wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband”.