Brazilian Journalist Unknowingly Encounters Missing Girl’s Body During Live Report
In a tragic and startling incident in Bacabal, northeastern Brazil, a television journalist inadvertently came into contact with the body of a missing 13-year-old girl while filming a report about her disappearance. The event, which unfolded in the Mearim River, was captured on video and has since gained significant attention online.
Lenildo Frazao, the reporter, waded into the river to illustrate its depth and highlight the area where the girl, identified as Raissa, was last seen swimming with friends. According to The Sun, Frazao was unaware of what lay beneath the water’s surface as he proceeded with his segment. The viral footage shows him suddenly retreating when the water reached chest level, visibly shaken after feeling something brush against him. He quickly moved to shallower water, glancing back at the spot with unease.
Frazao can be heard telling his crew, “I think there’s something down here at the bottom of the water.” Hesitant to continue, he added, “No, I’m not going, I’m scared. It looked like an arm could it be her? But it might be a fish too, I don’t know.” Following this unsettling moment, firefighters and divers resumed their search on June 30 and recovered Raissa’s body from the exact location where Frazao had been filming. It remains unclear whether the journalist physically touched the remains, but the timing and location of the discovery have raised questions.
Raissa had gone missing while swimming with friends in the Mearim River. A post-mortem examination confirmed her death was due to accidental drowning, with no evidence of physical trauma. Her funeral took place on the evening of June 30, and her school declared three days of mourning. The community also held a vigil, where friends and family gathered to honor her memory with prayers and candles
During his report, Frazao had emphasized the river’s hazardous conditions, warning of strong currents and uneven depths caused by holes in the riverbed. The incident has sparked widespread discussion about the dangers of the Mearim River and the emotional toll of such unexpected discoveries in journalism.
