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Former university professor mauled to death by stray dogs on holiday in Greece

Celia Hollingworth
Celia Hollingworth

A British woman who was mauled to death and partly eaten by a pack of stray dogs while on holiday in Greece has been named as Celia Hollingworth.

The 63-year-old retired academic was attacked by the pack of animals in northern Greece, close to the border with Turkey, as she walked back to her guesthouse, according to Athenian authorities.

She is understood to have phoned her family as she lay dying of her injuries.

Her family then contacted local authorities who began a search of the mountainous area.

Her body was discovered on Saturday, two days after she went missing.

A senior police officer involved in the investigation told The Times: ‘It was a tragic sight. Her body was found shredded to pieces, some of it devoured.

‘Even experienced forensics crews were shocked when they faced the harrowing sight.’

Ms Hollingworth was staying in the small town of Maroneia, and had hiked to a nearby archaeological site, Mesimvria.

The Mesimvria archaeological site (E-evros)
The Mesimvria archaeological site (E-evros)

Neighbours at her home in Bradford in Avon, Wiltshire, said the “kind and friendly” woman was active in her community.

Andrew Otto, 54, said: “Celia was always very friendly. I’ve only lived here for a year but when we moved in she offered to store boxes for us.

“She told she was going to Greece about five weeks ago. That was the last we heard from her.

“She didn’t give a lot away about herself but she was always active in the community and would often go round with petitions.”

Human rights campaigner Ms Hollingworth was an active member of community groups in Bradford-on-Avon and Bath.

She was a long-standing member of the Bristol Greece Solidarity campaign, supporting those struggling with austerity following the European financial crisis.