A new discovery of the disappearances of British journalist Dom Philipps and Brazilian anthropologist Bruno Pereira in the Amazon may well mark the epilogue of this tragic affair. One of the suspects actually led police to human remains in a remote area of the jungle.
Police have found human remains at the site where Brazilian authorities dug up after British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous peoples expert Bruno Pereira, investigators said on Wednesday (June 15).
\ud83d\udd34 Brazil | Los restos del corresponsal inglés Dom Phillips y el indigenista Brasileño Bruno Pereira, desaparecidos desde el 5 de junio, fueron hallados en la selva amazonica, según anunció el comisario Eduardo Fontes during a conference of prensa
\ud83d\udcf7 AFP pic.twitter.com/mNjLricyog
— Agency Telam (@AgenciaTelam) June 16, 2022
In this case, which has been rocking Brazil for a few days, there has been a lot of conflicting information. While the journalist’s family said this Monday, June 13, that they had been contacted by the Brazilian embassy in London to inform them that two bodies had been found tied to a tree, other sources denied the discovery.
The suspect faces anthropologist Bruno Pereira
But this Wednesday, June 15, the remains found by Brazilian police could mark the epilogue of this dark case of disappearance.
The suspect, Amarildo da Costa, a fisherman who opposed Bruno Pereira for his efforts to combat illegal fishing in areas where indigenous peoples live, police led to a site where the remains were discovered, Inspector Eduardo Fontes said at a news conference.
Freelance journalist Dom Phillips and indigenous peoples scholar Bruno Pereira disappeared earlier this month in a remote region of the Amazon jungle on the border of Brazil, Peru and Colombia. The journalist was working on a book that would chronicle their journey.
More arrests to come?
This region, home to the world’s largest number of uncontacted tribal peoples, has attracted cocaine traffickers, loggers, miners and illegal hunters due to its remoteness and difficult access.
Amarildo da Costa’s brother, Oseney da Costa, was arrested on Tuesday but denies any involvement in the crime despite evidence to the contrary. Police are also investigating the involvement of a third person and have indicated that further arrests may still be made..