Suzanne Eaton, US scientist, found killed in Crete WWII bunker

An undated handout photo made available by Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics on 9 July 2019Image copyright
EPA

Image caption

The 59-year-old molecular biologist worked for the world-renowned Max Planck Institute

The body of an American scientist has been found inside a World War Two bunker on the Greek island of Crete.

Suzanne Eaton, who went missing more than a week ago after going on a run, died of suffocation, police confirmed to the BBC.

They said they are investigating the case as a criminal act.

The 59-year-old molecular biologist from the world-renowned Max Planck Institute in Germany had been attending a conference on the island.

Police in the port city of Chania, where the conference was being held, say she was found on rough and rocky terrain inside the abandoned bunker about 10km (six miles) away from where she was last seen.

She was reported missing on 2 July, and police found her body six days later after a large search effort was launched.

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Media captionSuzanne Eaton’s body was found in the north-east of the island

According to Cretalive news website, a forensic autopsy found she had been suffocated but there was no other indication of trauma.

Police are investigating whether Ms Eaton was killed inside the bunker or moved there after the event, it adds.

The Greek Reporter website said her body had been covered in burlap, a rough cloth, leading Greek authorities to conclude she had been killed.

According to a local official speaking to ABC News, the area around the bunker, which lies to the north-west of the island, is a popular tourist spot.

The scientist’s family, friends and colleagues had launched a Facebook page co-ordinating search efforts and offering a €50,000 ($56,000; £45,000) reward for information on Ms Eaton’s whereabouts.

The Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics said in a statement: “It is with enormous sadness and regret that we announce the tragic demise of our dearest friend and colleague, Suzanne Eaton… We are deeply shocked and disturbed by this tragic event.”

Ms Eaton was married with two sons.

source: bbc.com