The girlfriend of a retired police officer who disappeared while walking in Greece has harshly criticized Mediterranean authorities for doing nothing to help search for her partner.
Debbie LeShane said she was forced to mount her own rescue mission for her boyfriend Albert Calibet, a former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy.
The 59-year-old went hiking on Amorgos, a rocky island with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants, around 7 a.m. last Tuesday.
Calibet, an experienced hiker with dual citizenship in Greece, is one of seven tourists missing or dying in the country this month while battling a “history-making” 111F heat wave.
LeShane told the New York Post Monday: ‘I am totally disgusted with the way we have been treated.
Debbie Leshane, the girlfriend of retired police officer Albert Calibet, who disappeared while hiking in Greece, criticized Mediterranean authorities for doing nothing to help search for her partner.
Calibet set out for his hike on Amorgos, a rocky island of less than 2,000 inhabitants, around 7 a.m. last Tuesday, but did not reach his planned destination.
‘Albert has been a lifeguard since he was 25 years old. Everyone deserves to be sought after. But he really and honestly deserves it.”
LeShane, Calibet’s brother Oliver, and a handful of friends traveled 32 hours to Greece to take matters into their own hands. They’ve spent the last week searching the cliffs for him.
The family is particularly concerned about the scorching heat hitting the island, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees last week.
“In fact, we literally had splinters that went through our shoes to our feet. It is ridiculous, it is the seventh day and we are no longer panicking,” she stated.
LeShane criticized Greek authorities for offering only a brief helicopter search and failing to follow through on promises of drones, dogs and more flights.
Oliver offered to pay for additional efforts, such as flying in a helicopter and using search dogs, but was rebuffed.
LeShane insists search dogs “could have saved his life.”
Pictured: Map of where Calibet was supposed to end up after her hike.
Calibet is a former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy and an experienced hiker with dual citizenship in Greece.
The search group made up of Calibet’s family and friends has been there every day since 5 in the morning. They finish late and continue strategizing where to go from there.
However, LeShane said Greek authorities do not work after sunset and said their general attitude can be described as “let’s go to bed and let Albert sleep outside.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna issued a statement regarding the 59-year-old man’s disappearance.
“We are actively collaborating with multiple agencies overseas to provide assistance in the search for Deputy Calibet and will use every resource we have available to bring him back to those who love him,” Luna said.
Calibet’s last correspondence was a call to LeShane before setting out on his hike. He sent her a photo of a trailhead sign around 9:30 am.
Two hours later, footage showed Calibet leaving the town of Aegiali, where he grabbed a soft drink and a bottle of water.
LeShane said she knew something was wrong when he didn’t respond to her text messages after she woke up the next day.
He criticized authorities for refusing to access Calibet’s phone data and criticized the US Embassy for not helping more.
“I’m going to stay here until they find the love of my life,” Leshane said.
Pictured: Dr Michael Mosley (right), missing earlier this month, with his wife Clare Bailey.
This is the photo of Mosley released with an appeal after he disappeared while hiking on vacation in Greece on Wednesday.
TO GoFundMe has been organized to help Calibet’s friends and family obtain more resources and equipment in their efforts to locate him.
Another missing tourist, Dr Michael Mosley, 67, was found dead after a five-day search on the Greek resort island of Symi earlier this month.
Dr Mosley, one of Britain’s best-known doctors who popularized the 5:2 diet and appeared regularly on television, was with friends on Agios Nikolaos beach on Wednesday, before going for a solo walk into the centre. of the island.