Toby Sheets, a long-time assistant trainer to Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, was found dead on a beach on the Greek island of Mathraki, as confirmed by his family to the Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN). Sheets's death is the latest in a series of incidents involving foreign tourists disappearing or being found dead on the Greek islands in the past week, according to the Associated Press. Sheets was 55 years old, Reuters reported.
Greg Sheets, Toby's cousin, confirmed the death, stating, “He did pass away in Greece. As of right now, that's all we know. The family is trying to figure out what happened.”
Mathraki, a quiet island west of the more popular Greek island of Corfu, has a population of just 100 people. Steve Asmussen, Sheets's employer, expressed his condolences, noting, “Toby was a part of our stable for many years, including our Belmont Stakes win with Creator, as well as his expert handling of Haynesfield among others. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.”
Sheets's death occurred amid an extreme heat wave sweeping Greece, with temperatures nearing 100 degrees Fahrenheit in some parts of the country. CBS reported that another tourist found Sheets's body in the old port of Mathraki and informed the police. Sheets had been reported missing on Thursday and was last seen alive on Tuesday at a café with two female tourists, who have since left the island.
Mathraki's deputy mayor, Spyros Argyros, told the New York Times that Sheets was found in the surf on a beach that had already been searched, suggesting he may have been washed ashore within the last 24 hours. A friend had called the police after finding the door to Sheets's home open, with the lights and air conditioning on. The cause of death has not been disclosed, pending the results of an autopsy.
A coroner was dispatched to Mathraki on Sunday to conduct a preliminary investigation, and Sheets's body was taken to Corfu for the autopsy. Sheets had come to Mathraki to spend holiday time with a Greek American friend.
Sheets's death is the third involving a tourist on the Greek islands in recent days. The other cases include Dr. Michael Mosley, a British TV anchor and author, and a 74-year-old Dutch tourist. Additionally, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy has been missing since Tuesday, and two French women have been reported missing after going for a walk in the heat on Friday, according to the New York Times.