TWO bodies believed to be those of British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous expert Bruno Pereira have been discovered in the Amazon, according to reports.
Paul Sherwood, Phillips’ brother-in-law, said his family had been informed by the Brazilian ambassador to the UK that the bodies had been found tied to a tree.
Phillips, 57, and Pereira, 41, vanished from a remote part of the Amazon last week and are believed to have last been seen early on Sunday, June 5, in the Sao Rafael community.
Sherwood said his family received a call from the Brazilian ambassador early on Monday.
He told the Guardian: “He said he wanted us to know that … they had found two bodies.
“He didn’t describe the location and just said it was in the rainforest and he said they were tied to a tree and they hadn’t been identified yet.
“He said that when it was light, or when it was possible, they would do an identification.”
It comes after Brazilian Federal Police said they had found personal items belonging to the two men.
In a statement, they said the objects included a backpack and a pair of boots belonging to Phillips, as well as a health card, black trousers, a black sandal and a pair of boots belonging to Pereira.
There has been confusion about the discovery after Brazilian police appeared to deny the bodies were Pereira and Phillips.
A statement from the country’s federal police said: “The information being shared that the bodies or Mr Bruno Pereira and Mr Dom Phillips have been found are without merit.”
“As was previously stated, biological materials and personal belongings of the missing men were found and are being examined.
“As soon as any finds are made the family and the media will be immediately informed.”
On Saturday, reports emerged that police had discovered human matter in the Itaquai River, near Atalaia do Norte’s port.
Authorities previously said blood found on a suspect’s boat had been sent for analysis.
Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, 41, also known as Pelado, was earlier named as a suspect and arrested for allegedly carrying a firearm without a permit, a common practice in the region.
Police did not clarify why he was being treated as a suspect but he is thought to have been among a group of men who threatened the missing men near an indigenous territory on Saturday, June 4.
A GoFundMe set up by friends of the men passed its $20,000 goal early on Monday.
