Bodies of Missing Boys Found in Copacabana and São José After Separate Searches

Overview

• The Instituto Médico Legal confirmed that a body found off Copacabana is 14-year-old Luiz Gabriel de Souza Silva, who disappeared on December 31.
• Firefighters recovered him near Posto 3 after searches that spanned a week and used divers, jet skis, drones and an aircraft.
• Relatives said he had been playing with a board near Posto 2 when a breaking wave pulled him under, and the beach was marked with a red flag for high risk.
• In Santa Catarina, firefighters found a 12-year-old reported missing in São José in the Rio Imaruí near the Usina Maruim on January 6 after he went to swim with friends and did not return.
• Authorities suspect drowning in the São José case and await forensic reports, with the DPCami and Civil Police leading the investigation.