Body Of British Journalist Missing In The Amazon Has Been Found, Family Says
Update: Since this article was published, the Brazilian ambassador has apologised to the family of Dom Phillips for incorrectly telling them his body had been found.
The bodies of British journalist Dom Phillips and indigenous expert Bruno Pereira have been found in the Amazon, the family of Phillips has said.
As reported by the Daily Mirror, Phillips' wife Alessandra Sampiao confirmed the sad news that the body of her husband had been found along with that of his colleague.
Brazilian journalist André Triguerio wrote on Twitter that he had been informed by Alessandra that two bodies had been discovered and one of them belonged to her husband.
Phillips and Pereira had vanished in the Amazon on 5 June, triggering days of searching from the army, navy, police and indigenous communities as they hoped to track down traces of the two men.
The two men were in the Amazon on assignment for a book Phillips was working on, they were first reported missing when their boat did not make its scheduled arrival in the town of Atalaia do Norte.
Phillips' mother-in-law, Maria Lucia Farias Sampaio, had previously released a statement on Instagram saying she believed the men had died.
She 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."
Phillips' wife reposted the statement saying she agreed with it.
The BBC reported earlier that possible human remains were found in a river near Atalaia do Norte which have since been sent off to be analysed.
One man who was previously seen threatening Phillips and Pereira the day before they went missing has been arrested by officials.
Traces of blood were found on a boat belonging to Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, who has been charged with illegal possession of restricted ammunition.
Indigenous people who were with Phillips and Pereira claim da Costa de Oliveira pulled a rifle on the men the day before they went missing.
Personal items belonging to the missing men have also been found.
Boots, a laptop and a backpack belonging to Phillips were discovered by authorities along with Pereira's ID card, trousers and boots.
A group of indigenous volunteers led members of Brazil's military police force to an area near River Itaquaí where the collection of items belonging to the two men were found floating in the water.
However, the BBC are now reporting that Brazilian police are denying that the bodies of Phillips and Pereira have been found.
Police confirmed they had found personal items belonging to the pair along with 'biological material' that had been sent off to be examined, but denied reports that the bodies of the men had been discovered.
Joe Harker