Missing American Scientist Found Dead in a Cave

Suzanne Eaton had been missing for a week in Crete
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 9, 2019 6:21 AM CDT
Updated Jul 9, 2019 2:00 PM CDT
Body Found in Cave in Search for US Scientist
Suzanne Eaton.   (Facebook)

The search for an American scientist missing for a week on the Greek island of Crete has ended with a body. Greek newspaper Ekathimerini reports the body of Suzanne Eaton has been found in a cave about six miles from where she was last seen near Chania; Reuters describes the location as a "rough and rocky site inside a World War Two bunker." Though police told CBS News earlier that family members still need to identity the body, Eaton's employer put out a statement confirming her death. "It is with enormous sadness and regret that we announce the tragic demise of our dearest friend and colleague, Suzanne Eaton," said Germany's Max Planck Institute. "The police recovered her body during the evening of 8th July," it confirmed.

"The authorities have not yet completed their investigation regarding the events that may have transpired on Tuesday afternoon, 2nd July, and we will provide further updates as we receive information," the institute added. The 59-year-old molecular biologist is believed to have vanished on a run while attending a conference. CNN notes Eaton's husband, British scientist Tony Hyman, traveled to the island to help search for her, along with two sons. Friends had offered a $56,000 reward for information used to locate her. "We are deeply shocked and disturbed by this tragic event," continued the institute. "Suzanne was an outstanding and inspiring scientist, a loving spouse and mother, an athlete as well as a truly wonderful person beloved to us all. Her loss is unbearable." (A US couple went missing in Barbados. Their jet ski was just found.)

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