Another suspect detained in British journalist’s killing in Brazil
A suspect in the killing of British journalist Dom Phillips and his Brazilian guide turned himself into police early Saturday, officials said, a day after investigators confirmed that remains found buried in the Amazon were those of Phillips.
The June 5 disappearance of Phillips and his aide, indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, while on a reporting trip in a remote region of the Amazon had ignited an international outcry.
Veteran correspondent Phillips, 57, and Pereira, 41, went missing in an isolated part of the rainforest rife with illegal mining, fishing and logging, as well as drug trafficking.
Ten days later, a suspect took police to a place near the city of Atalaia do Norte in western Amazon state, where he said he had buried bodies. Soon after, the suspect’s brother was also detained.
A forensic analysis on Friday confirmed the remains to be those of Phillips and officials said they were still working to determine if the other body belonged to Pereira, who had received multiple death threats.
Police on Saturday identified the third suspect in the case as Jefferson da Silva Lima, describing him as an “outlaw” known as “Pelado da Dinha.” They said he had turned himself in at the police station in Atalaia do Norte.
Commissioner Alex Perez Timoteo told news site G1 that evidence and testimony collected so far indicated that the suspect “was at the scene of the crime and actively participated in the double homicide that occurred.”
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