The strange disappearance of Roger Bainbridge in Greece

Antipaxos GreeceGreeceRoger Bainbridge
Written By StrangeOutdoors
Roger Bainbridge disappearance Antipaxos Greece

Roger Bainbridge disappeared September 26, 2013, Antipaxos, Greece. 

Revised July 2024

Roger Bainbridge, 67, from Kendal in the United Kingdom, went missing while on holiday on the island of Paxos, visiting his sister, Maggie Cooper.

He took a day trip by ferry to a nearby island, Antipaxos, so he could go walking on Thursday, September 26,  2013, and vanished without a trace.

Although the island is only 2 square miles in area, its interior is covered with thick undergrowth, and there are dozens of footpaths, many leading to dead ends. Antipaxos is in the Ionian Sea south of Paxos and Corfu, around 15 miles (24km) off Greece's northwest coast.

Roger Bainbridge Antipaxos disappearance

Roger was an experienced fell walker in England's Lake District and a keen swimmer. He was wearing walking shoes, a slate blue T-shirt, and a navy blue rucksack. He had drinking water and 50 euros in cash with him, but no mobile phone or ID. He had visited the island area at least six times.

Roger was last seen at 3 p.m. near the main village at the top of Antipaxos by some other walkers who had a conversation with him and walked with him a short distance. The conversation took place near some VW camper vans parked in the area. Roger was reported missing when he failed to return on September 26, and a search was started the next day.

Local people and the police searched the island but failed to find any clues. A helicopter with thermal imaging capabilities was dispatched from Athens, but no evidence was located.

Antipaxos
VW Camper van

VW Camper van

Roger's son, Iain Bainbridge, said police searches aided by local people had been carried out and he was baffled by the disappearance. "There has been a lot of effort from local people to try and find him and we are very grateful. People have been snorkeling to see if there is any sign of him in the sea. They have also been on foot patrol, but obviously, it is a very small island so we just can't understand what is going on at all."

He said at the time, “Time is of the essence. We just need to know what’s going on. Not knowing anything is scary. We are trying to keep as calm as possible. None of the most likely explanations add up. If he had gone swimming and got into trouble, then some of his belongings would have been found on the beach. It’s just bizarre.”

A year after the disappearance, Iain said, "We're no further forward, really; it's totally bizarre. We are totally confused and amazed that we've not heard anything in a whole year. There's been nothing found, no body, no trace of dad, no credible theory really... We're still left with a lot of questions which realistically in this life we may never get any answers to." Iain confirmed his father Iain had only had 50 euros, no passport, and no ID, so the idea of him being alive was "unlikely".

Two officers from Cumbria police in the U.K. assisted Greek police in a follow-up search in October 2013.

The family feared he may have fallen and could have been lying injured in a sheltered, wooded area or olive grove. However, no remains have been found on or near the island for many years since its disappearance.

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