Suspect admits shooting missing pair in Amazon, Brazil police say
Dom Phillips - who has links to Bristol - and Bruno Pereira disappeared on June 5
Last updated 16th Jun 2022
A man has admitted shooting a British journalist and indigenous expert in a remote part of the Amazon.
Police say the fisherman took officers to the spot where the bodies of Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira were buried.
The wife of Dom Phillips - who has links to Bristol - has said "now we can bring them home and say goodbye with love".
Brazil's justice minister Anderson Torres said the remains were found near where the pair disappeared on June 5.
In a statement, Mr Phillips' wife Alessandra Sampaio said: "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.
"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."
Brazilian authorities said the prime suspect in the case told officers he used a firearm to kill the two men.
The remains had not yet been positively identified, federal police said, adding that other arrests would soon be made in the case.
It comes after former Tory prime minister Theresa May insisted the UK must do "everything it can" to press Brazilian authorities to uncover the truth about the disappearances.
Mrs May made the plea on Wednesday to Boris Johnson in the House of Commons after police arrested a second suspect in connection with the case.
Prime Minister Mr Johnson replied: "FCDO officials are working closely now with the Brazilian authorities following his disappearance on June 5.
"The minister responsible has raised the issue repeatedly, the search and rescue efforts, with Brazil's justice and public security minister and what we told the Brazilians is we stand ready to provide all the support that they may need."
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