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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jun/02/rye-hunt-missing-backpacker-may-have-had-psychotic-episode-say-brazil-police
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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 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 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 Brazil | Related: 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 the identity of the man found on Cotunduba was confirmed. | |
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. |