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Rye Hunt: missing backpacker may have had psychotic episode, say Brazil police Rye Hunt: police hunt for 'Australian' seen on Rio island
(35 minutes later)
The family of a Tasmanian man missing in Brazil for nearly two weeks are hopeful he has been found alive after police discovered a man who had allegedly suffered a “psychotic episode” on a Rio De Janeiro island. The family of a Tasmanian man missing in Brazil for nearly two weeks are hopeful he has been found alive after a man who had allegedly suffered a “psychotic episode” was discovered on a Rio De Janeiro island.
Rye Hunt, 25, has been missing since 21 May, after he left Rio airport alone in a taxi and booked into a Copacabana apartment.Rye Hunt, 25, has been missing since 21 May, after he left Rio airport alone in a taxi and booked into a Copacabana apartment.
Hopes were raised for his family when police said that the man found on the island told them he was Australian but his identity had yet to be verified. Local police said the man had apparently swum to Cotunduba Island from the mainland. Hopes were raised for his family when police said that the man found on the island had told a local fisherman that he was Australian but his identity had yet to be verified. Local police said the man had apparently swum to Cotunduba Island from the mainland.
Related: Rye Hunt: apartment owner questioned after Australian man goes missing in BrazilRelated: Rye Hunt: apartment owner questioned after Australian man goes missing in Brazil
However, the whereabouts of the man had not been established.
“We are seeing the same reports in the media, that Rye has been found,” his family said in a statement on Thursday.“We are seeing the same reports in the media, that Rye has been found,” his family said in a statement on Thursday.
“We have no confirmation of this. We are hopeful but understandably cautious.”“We have no confirmation of this. We are hopeful but understandably cautious.”
Hunt, who works in the mining industry, disappeared after an argument at the airport with his travelling companion and fellow Australian backpacker, Mitchell Sheppard.Hunt, who works in the mining industry, disappeared after an argument at the airport with his travelling companion and fellow Australian backpacker, Mitchell Sheppard.
While Brazilian police are proceeding with caution until identity of the man found on Cotunduba was confirmed, they suggested the unidentified man may have suffered a drug-induced mania after inhaling MDMA before going to a party. While Brazilian police are proceeding with caution until the identity of the man found on Cotunduba was confirmed.
“At that point he had a psychotic episode. Him and his friend, they started to think that people were chasing them and they were thrown out of the party,” spokeswoman Elen Souto said, according to a translation of a press conference posted on YouTube.
Hunt’s girlfriend and uncle arrived in Rio on Wednesday and rejected any suggestion that he maybe have used illicit substances.
“Rye’s family are not aware of a history of illicit substance use by Rye,” they said. “Rye works in the mining industry which requires regular tests for illegal substance used by employees and contractors. A test Rye has never failed.”
Australia’s foreign affairs department is working with Brazilian authorities to determine the identity of the man.Australia’s foreign affairs department is working with Brazilian authorities to determine the identity of the man.