Brazilian authorities have suggested that a body found on a remote beach near Rio de Janeiro may be missing Australian backpacker Rye Hunt, who disappeared on May 21.
Hunt’s family, who said in a statement that Australian authorities told them that an unidentified body had been found, criticised the Brazilian media for sending them photos of the body while investigating the story. They are also upset that photos of the body have been published in local media.
On Wednesday, Rio residents noticed vultures congregating around a spot on the beach, which upon investigation revealed a decomposed body wearing a white shirt and blue shorts. The body was sent to the Legal Medical Institute in nearby city Niteroi for identification.
Hunt, who is from Tasmania, had been travelling with friend Mitchell Sheppard, and disappeared after the two had an argument. The pair had been taking party drugs at the time, including potent hallucinogen NBOMe. The drug’s effects have not been well studied, but anecdotal evidence suggests it can be nauseating, disorienting and has a serious impact on memory.
Marica, the area in which the body was found, is an outer suburb of Rio known for problems with gang violence.
Source: News.com.au
Photo: Facebook.
