Cops ‘interview five suspects’ after killing of British journalist Dom Phillips and another man – World News

Police were led to where the remains of the missing couple were buried by Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira after he confessed to shooting and dismembering both men

Brazilian police are reportedly interrogating five suspects in the murder of Dom Phillips, who disappeared in a remote part of the Amazon last week.

Brazil’s Justice Minister Anderson Torres said human remains were found near where the 57-year-old journalist and his traveling partner Bruno Pereira, 41, disappeared on June 5. Police said a suspect led investigators to the location after confessing to the fatal shooting.

Two of the suspects are brothers Oseney and Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, who on June 15 reportedly confessed to murdering the couple with a gun and covering up their remains, the reports Email online.

However, it is reported that Brazilian detectives are to interrogate three other people about the alleged murders.

The remaining two are suspected of helping conceal Phillips and Pereira’s remains and ordering the hit, according to federal officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Authorities have yet to officially identify the remains, but it is claimed that these are the remains of the missing couple.

The couple were in a remote jungle area near the border of Colombia and Peru called the Javari Valley, which is home to the world’s largest number of uncontacted tribal peoples. The region has been invaded by illegal fishermen, hunters, loggers and miners, and police say it is a key route for drug trafficking.

Police are said to have been led to the spot where the remains are buried, with a motive still unclear, by prime suspect Amarildo, who has now confessed to shooting and dismembering the couple.

Phillips’ wife reached out for information last week but said after the discovery “now we can take her home and say our love goodbyes”.

In a statement, Mr Phillips’ wife, Alessandra Sampaio, said: “While we are still awaiting definitive confirmations, this tragic result puts an end to the agony of not knowing Dom and Bruno’s whereabouts.

“We also begin our search for justice. I hope the investigation will exhaust all avenues and bring definitive answers on all relevant details as soon as possible.”

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