The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Family’ s grief over journalist killed in Brazil
The family of British journalist Dom Phillips say they are “heartbroken” that he and indigenous expert Bruno Pereira have been murdered in the Amazon.
Mr Phillips’ UK-based loved ones released a brief statement in tribute to Dom and Mr Pereira after Brazilian authorities said yesterday that two bodies had been recovered from a remote location after their prime suspect confessed.
Brazil’s justice minister Anderson Torres said the remains were found near where the pair disappeared on June 5, while a federal investigator said fisherman Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, 41, had confessed to shooting the men. His brother, Oseney, has also been arrested over alleged involvement.
In a statement, Mr Phillips’ family said: “We are heartbroken at the confirmation that Dom and Bruno were murdered and extend our deepest sympathies to Alessandra, Beatriz and the other
Brazilian family members of both men.”
Police were led to the site where human remains were recovered after a 10day search.
Investigator Eduardo Alexandre Fontes said the fisherman told officers he used a gun to kill the pair then buried them deep in the forest.
Mr Phillips’ family said: “We are grateful to all those who have taken part in the search, especially the indigenous groups who worked tirelessly to find evidence of the attack.”
The bereaved relatives intend to issue a fuller tribute and their “perspective on the courageous lives and important work of these remarkable men” but for the moment are trying to deal privately with their grief.
Mr Fontes said police “would have no way of getting to that spot quickly without the confession”.
He said the bodies were found nearly two miles into the woods and that rescue teams travelled for about one hour and 40 minutes on the river and another 25 minutes into the woods to reach the burial spot.
Environmentalists said they were “shocked and saddened” by the killings and called for the Brazilian authorities to fully investigate.
Greenpeace UK’s executive director Pat Venditti described the pair as “brave, passionate and determined men” who had carried out the “vital work of shining a light” on the daily threats Brazil’s indigenous peoples face in defending their land and rights.