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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jun/04/search-for-rye-hunt-body-spotted-off-rio-coast-say-brazil-police
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Search for Rye Hunt: body spotted off Rio coast, say Brazil police | Search for Rye Hunt: body spotted off Rio coast, say Brazil police |
| (3 months later) | |
| A body with clothing similar to that worn by missing Australian Rye Hunt has been spotted by fishermen in the sea off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian police say. | A body with clothing similar to that worn by missing Australian Rye Hunt has been spotted by fishermen in the sea off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian police say. |
| The sighting on Wednesday morning, near the island of Rasa 8km from Copacabana beach, was reported to the Brazilian navy. | The sighting on Wednesday morning, near the island of Rasa 8km from Copacabana beach, was reported to the Brazilian navy. |
| A search began on Wednesday afternoon and has continued through Friday, Rio’s civil police said. | A search began on Wednesday afternoon and has continued through Friday, Rio’s civil police said. |
| The 25-year-old Tasmanian has been missing since 21 May, when he decided to cut his stay in Brazil short and travel to Bolivia from Rio’s international airport. | The 25-year-old Tasmanian has been missing since 21 May, when he decided to cut his stay in Brazil short and travel to Bolivia from Rio’s international airport. |
| Police believe the backpacker argued with travelling buddy Mitchell Sheppard at the airport and returned to Copacabana and checked into an apartment. | Police believe the backpacker argued with travelling buddy Mitchell Sheppard at the airport and returned to Copacabana and checked into an apartment. |
| He was said to be in a paranoid or psychotic state. | He was said to be in a paranoid or psychotic state. |
| Until now, the last sighting had been by another fisherman on the uninhabited Cotunduba Island, one kilometre from Copacabana, where he had apparently swam, on the next day, 22 May. | Until now, the last sighting had been by another fisherman on the uninhabited Cotunduba Island, one kilometre from Copacabana, where he had apparently swam, on the next day, 22 May. |
| He is said to have been in an agitated state and to have begged for water to drink. | He is said to have been in an agitated state and to have begged for water to drink. |
| Rye’s family declined to discuss the sighting of a body when they were asked about it at a news conference on Friday near Copacabana beach. | Rye’s family declined to discuss the sighting of a body when they were asked about it at a news conference on Friday near Copacabana beach. |
| His girlfriend of five years, Bonnie Cuthbert, 25, spoke of the last message he sent to her before he disappeared. | His girlfriend of five years, Bonnie Cuthbert, 25, spoke of the last message he sent to her before he disappeared. |
| “He sent me a message that morning [of May 21], saying he loved me, missed me and would message me when he got to Bolivia,” she said. | “He sent me a message that morning [of May 21], saying he loved me, missed me and would message me when he got to Bolivia,” she said. |
| “We are here to find Rye. To try and get as much information as we can,” she added. We are apprehensive and nervous. But we are also hopeful and determined.” | “We are here to find Rye. To try and get as much information as we can,” she added. We are apprehensive and nervous. But we are also hopeful and determined.” |
| The electrician, who worked at a mine in Western Australia, had saved for three years to take the trip through south-east Asia, South America and Europe, she said. | The electrician, who worked at a mine in Western Australia, had saved for three years to take the trip through south-east Asia, South America and Europe, she said. |
| Her boyfriend was “loving and a big bear”, she added. “But on the outside he’s this big tough man who can do anything.” | Her boyfriend was “loving and a big bear”, she added. “But on the outside he’s this big tough man who can do anything.” |
| The family declined to discuss details of the search for Rye, but said that Sheppard, 22, was helping as much as he could and they were handing out leaflets at places in Rio known to Rye. | The family declined to discuss details of the search for Rye, but said that Sheppard, 22, was helping as much as he could and they were handing out leaflets at places in Rio known to Rye. |
| “The police are being amazing,” said Cuthbert. | “The police are being amazing,” said Cuthbert. |
| The family also would not discuss the suggestion that he had taken MDMA. But Cuthbert said: “He never used drugs. He is the biggest fitness freak you’ll ever meet.” | The family also would not discuss the suggestion that he had taken MDMA. But Cuthbert said: “He never used drugs. He is the biggest fitness freak you’ll ever meet.” |
| “We are optimistic and will remain that way,” added Rye’s uncle Michael Wholohan, 50, of the search for his nephew. “We’ll stay here for as long as it takes.” | “We are optimistic and will remain that way,” added Rye’s uncle Michael Wholohan, 50, of the search for his nephew. “We’ll stay here for as long as it takes.” |