Missing Australian backpacker Rye Hunt has reportedly been found alive in Rio do Janeiro nearly two weeks after going missing.
Hunt’s family are remaining “hopeful but understandably cautious” as they seek to confirm that it is in fact the 25-year-old.
Brazilian police have posted a video to YouTube in which spokeswoman Elen Souta says the man appears to have swum to the island of Cotunduba Island after suffering from a “psychotic episode” after taking drugs at a party.
“According to the witness, he had injuries from shell fish, was asking for water and said, when asked, he’d arrived on the island swimming and was Australian,” says Souta said in the video.
Speaking to News Corp, the man’s sister, Romany Brodribb, says the family have not been told anything as yet and are “reluctant” to get their hopes up.
“We are understandably cautious about taking this information as fact. We’re really, really hopeful but I’m curious to know what their source is. We’ve also not heard from Brazilian police so there’s a part of me that’s a tiny bit sceptical.
“Obviously this is really heart wrenching for all of us. That’s all I can say.”
Hunt’s uncle and girlfriend, Bonnie Cuthbert (pictured below), travelled to Rio to join the search and meet with Australia’s Consul General and Federal Police.
