Bodies of missing duo from Amazon found, suspect admits to shooting

Brazilian police in the Amazon have found the bodies of two missing men, British journalist Dom Phillip and indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, in the area close to where they went missing 10 days ago. Briefing at a press meeting late on Wednesday, regional police chief Eduardo Fontes said one of the two men who had been arrested in connection with the disappearance of the two men had confessed to shooting and killing them.

Bodies found after suspect shows the site

“On Tuesday he informed us the location where the bodies were buried and he promised to go with us today to the site so we could confirm where the bodies were buried,” Fontes told reporters. Detective Eduardo Fontes said Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, the first man who was arrested in connection with the case, took investigators to a place where human remains were dug up after he confessed to the killing.

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Police is going to work with the Interpol to confirm the identities of the bodies found.

Detective Fontes told journalists that Amarildo had “recounted in detail the crime that was committed and indicated the place where he buried the bodies”. His brother, however, denies any knowledge or involvement.

“End to anguish”

Wife of Dom Phillips, Alessandra Sampaio, said in a statement, “Although we are still awaiting definitive confirmations, this tragic outcome puts an end to the anguish of not knowing Dom and Bruno’s whereabouts. Now we can bring them home and say goodbye with love.”

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“Today, we also begin our quest for justice. I hope that the investigations exhaust all possibilities and bring definitive answers on all relevant details as soon as possible,” she added.

The location

The location that identified by Amarildo, the suspect, was 1hr 40min by boat from the river town of Atalaia do Norte and then another 3.1km (1.9 miles) by foot into dense forest of Amazon.