A scientist from California who disappeared a week ago while attending a conference in Greece has been found dead, authorities and her employer said Tuesday.

Greek authorities said they recovered a body inside a World War II bunker in the town of Chania in Crete late Monday, about 5 miles from where molecular biologist Suzanne Eaton was last seen July 2.

“It is with enormous sadness and regret that we announce the tragic demise of our dearest friend and colleague,” said the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in a statement.

The mom of two was a research group leader at the world-renowned institution, based in Dresden, Germany.

“We are deeply shocked and disturbed by this tragic event,” the statement said. “Suzanne was an outstanding and inspiring scientist, a loving spouse and mother, an athlete as well as a truly wonderful person beloved to us all.”

Police said forensic tests were underway and the cause of death wasn’t immediately known.

The 60-year-old’s family said they believe she may have disappeared on a run between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. last Tuesday and worried she may have fallen from one of the tourist area’s picturesque cliffs.

Her passport, wallet, phone, cash and cycling shoes were in her hotel room but her running sneakers were missing.

In a statement posted to “Searching for Suzanne,” a Facebook page created by Eaton’s family, the scientist’s niece, Callie Broaddus, said she “will be forever grateful for the support we’ve received from this global community of caring people over the last week.”

“We cannot comment on anything at this time, but I will post a message here when the time is appropriate.”

With Post wires