Two bodies have been found in the Amazon Rainforest amid a search for missing former Bristol resident Dom Phillips and travelling companion Bruno Pereira, the journalist's wife has confirmed. The discovery comes after traces of blood were discovered on a boat of a suspect last week.
Alessandra Sampaio, Mr Phillips' wife, informed Brazilian journalist André Trigueiro of the news, which he then confirmed on social media this afternoon (June 13). He wrote on Twitter: "Alessandra, wife of Dom Phillips, has just informed me that the bodies of her husband and indigenist Bruno Pereira have been found.
"Alessandra made contact again saying that she had just received a call from the PF informing that the bodies need to be examined. The British Embassy had already communicated to Bishop Phillips' brothers that they were the bodies of the journalist and the indigenist. Now everyone is waiting for the expertise."
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Before the discovery was made, both Mr Phillips' wife and mother-in-law said that all hope of finding him alive had disappeared. In a heartbreaking statement, the pair paid tribute to Mr Phillips and his travelling companion and friend, Mr Pereira.
Mr Phillips, who worked for the Guardian, was on a reporting trip with seasoned indigneous expert Mr Pereira in the Javari Valley when the pair went missing on June 5. The region, near the Peruvian and Colombian border, is home to the world’s largest number of uncontacted indigenous people. The region is currently experiencing a surge in violence driven by miners, gold diggers and drug traffickers.
Local authorities investigating their disappearance found traces of blood on the boat of fisherman Amarildo da Costa, known as 'Pelado', who was arrested and questioned by police earlier this week. He has since been charged with illegal possession of restricted ammunition. Federal police said on Thursday a forensic officer and state police were checking for 'possible genetic material' on the boat with the reagent Luminol, which reveals blood stains.
The police, navy, army, and indigenous people scoured the remote area for days in an attempt to find the missing men. The pair were first reported missing when their boat did not appear at the scheduled return point in the town of Atalaia do Norte.
In a statement on Instagram, Mr Phillips' mother-in-law wrote: "They are no longer with us.
"Mother nature has snatched them away with a grateful embrace. The material has been undone and incorporated into the earth they so loved and respected.
"Their souls have joined those of so many others who gave their lives in defence of the rainforest and Indigenous peoples. Today they form part of an immense and pulsating vital energy that emanates from this immense greenery that is the heart of Brazil."
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