**Body Believed to Be Missing Tsakistra Woman Found in Paphos Forest**
A body discovered in the Paphos state forest is believed to be that of 75-year-old Erato Athanasiou, who had been missing for 11 days. Athanasiou, a resident of Tsakistra, was last seen on one of her regular walks in the vicinity of her home. The body was located in the Kallinikos area of the forest, approximately 25 kilometers from where she was last reported seen.
According to reports, family members have identified the body as belonging to Athanasiou; however, police have yet to officially confirm this identification. An initial examination conducted by pathologist Nikolas Charalambous revealed no external injuries on the body. Samples have been collected for further testing to ascertain the exact cause of death, with the results of the post-mortem examination expected in the coming days.
Athanasiou was known for her routine walks, often traversing the same routes multiple times in a single day. On the day of her disappearance, she was last seen near Tsakistra, where she and her husband spent most of their time. The search for Athanasiou involved extensive efforts from both volunteers and authorities, with local priest Father Christodoulou noting that as many as 500 volunteers participated in the search on some days.
The search operation included members of the fire service and forestry department, and utilized drones, dogs, and helicopters to cover the challenging terrain. Father Christodoulou indicated that the search initially focused on the areas surrounding the village and the specific routes that Athanasiou was known to take.
The body was ultimately found in a remote area, accessible only via a dead-end road. It was discovered by forestry department officers who were conducting checks on water sources in the vicinity. The priest emphasized that the exact cause and circumstances of death would be determined by the authorities once the post-mortem results are available.
Volunteer Elena Giorgallidou, who was among the first to mobilize on the evening of Athanasiou's disappearance, recounted that her team began searching under police guidance after learning that the elderly woman had headed towards her usual walking area. Giorgallidou noted the difficulties faced during the search due to the mountainous terrain, which included ravines and paths that veered away from main roads.
As the community awaits further updates from the authorities, the search for answers regarding Athanasiou's disappearance and the circumstances surrounding her death continues.