An American tourist reported missing last week on the small Greek island of Mathraki was found dead on a remote beach on Sunday, June 17, 2024, according to local authorities. The body of 55-year-old Toby Sheets was discovered by another tourist, marking the latest in a series of tourist fatalities on Greek islands amid an intense heatwave.
Sheets, from Floral Park, Long Island, New York, was last seen on Tuesday, June 11 in a local café accompanied by two women who have since left the island. His Greek-American host reported him missing on Thursday after he returned to their lodging to find the door open, the light on, and the air conditioning running, but with no sign of his friend. His identification and travel documents were also missing.
Mathraki, a small island with a population of around 100 people and known for its dense woodlands, lies west of Corfu. Sheets was found on a rocky beach and was transferred to a hospital on Corfu for an autopsy. The medical examiner found that Sheets’ body had been in the water for several days and the cause of death was drowning. Since the spot where he was found had previously been searched, it is presumed that the surf carried his body onto the beach at some point afterward.
Sheets was the longtime assistant trainer to horse racing Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the leading Thoroughbred horse trainer in North America in terms of wins.
Greek public broadcaster ERT and the Athens News Agency reported the incident, highlighting the extreme weather conditions Greece is currently facing. The country is experiencing its earliest heatwave on record, with temperatures soaring above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This heatwave has resulted in several fatalities and multiple missing persons reports.
The U.S. State Department has been approached for comment but has not responded. Greek authorities urge tourists to exercise caution, particularly when undertaking outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
In recent weeks, the heatwave has claimed the lives of several tourists. On the island of Samos, a 74-year-old Dutch tourist was found dead in a ravine after going for a solo hike. Another incident involved Dr. Michael Mosley, a British TV presenter and columnist, who was found dead on the island of Symi after collapsing during a hike. His wife reported that he had taken a wrong turn just before reaching a marina, ending up in a location where his body was not easily visible.
Albert Calibet, a retired Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff, is also among the missing. The 59-year-old American was last seen on Amorgos Island, where he took a solo hike during extreme heat conditions. Search efforts for Calibet are ongoing.
Additionally, two French women, aged 64 and 73, were reported missing on Sikinos island. The women had planned to meet after leaving their respective hotels but have not been seen since. Rescue teams continue to scour the rugged terrain of these islands, often facing challenging conditions due to the intense heat and difficult landscape.
Local officials have expressed concerns about the safety of tourists who may not be fully aware of the dangers posed by Greece’s harsh summer climate. “There is a common pattern—they all went for a hike amid high temperatures,” said Petros Vassilakis, a police spokesman for the Southern Aegean region.
The Greek government has taken steps to mitigate the impact of the heatwave, including closing schools and popular tourist sites like the Acropolis during peak temperature hours. Authorities are also considering better measures to inform tourists about the risks of heat exhaustion and encourage safer travel practices.
As the search continues for the missing tourists, Greek authorities are working to ensure the safety of those traveling to the region.
