Greek authorities issued a public alert regarding the disappearance of Dr. Suzanne Eaton, a molecular biologist who was attending a conference at the Orthodox Academy of Crete near the town of Kolymvari, west of Chania, in Greece, when she vanished on Tuesday. The US Embassy in Athens has also been notified.
Dr. Eaton, age 59, is a senior research group leader at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, and Professor at the Dresden Technical University. She is a US citizen who has lived and worked in Dresden, Germany for the past 25 years.
Callie Broaddus, niece of the missing scientist, revealed to CrimeOnline that Eaton, “definitely was seen at 3:00 p.m. playing piano in the Academy. She changed out of her orange dress after that because we found the dress in her room.”
Posted by Emma Eaton on Saturday, July 6, 2019
Dr. Eaton had plans to attend a 6:00 meeting that evening and is believed to have gone on her daily run between 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
The scientist’s phone, passport, watch, cash, and cycling shoes were found in her room. Her running shoes and a hot pink running shirt were missing.
Family told non-profit advocacy organization Missing Pieces Network that Dr. Eaton ran a northeastern route on the Monday before she disappeared.
“She went to ‘D’ the previous day,” states Broaddus. “She will typically run on trails and roads, especially somewhere with steep edges like this.”
Urgent search taking place in Greece for a missing molecular biologist!!Dr. Suzanne “Sue” Eaton, age 59, was last…
Posted by Missing Pieces Network on Saturday, July 6, 2019
It’s unknown which direction the scientist ran on the day she vanished. She was not seen on surveillance video passing the Gonia Odigitria Monastery, which is located to the west of the Academy.
According to Broaddus, Eaton “may have gone down to the beach afterward, but the search dogs were interested in trails north of the academy.”
A Facebook group set up by family and friends is appealing for help from local residents.
“Due to the area’s rough and intense heat, we believe it is very likely either Suzanne suffered heat and sought shadow or that she may have had a fall. We need as many volunteers as possible to check streams, the edges of the paths and under trees/bushes or other dark spots.”
Suzanne Eaton is described as 5-feet-6.5-inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. According to family, she spent much of her childhood in Armonk, New York, and in California. She attended Brown University and earned her PhD from UCLA studying immunoglobulin gene transcription.
The family is offering a €50000 reward for information regarding the whereabouts of Dr. Eaton.
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[Feature Photo: Suzanne Eaton/Handout]
