The man suspected of ordering the murder of British journalist Dom Phillips whose body was dismembered before being burned and buried, has been arrested after escaping from house arrest and ditching his electronic bracelet.
Rubens Villar Coelho, nicknamed Colombia, was released from prison on bail on 21st October after posting a bond of BRL 15,000 (GBP 2,560).
But court officials found out that he had vanished from the address he was supposed to stay at, and he was arrested and put back in jail as a result of the cops who managed to track him down.
The public prosecutor’s office had appealed the decision to release him on bail but judge Fabiano Verli had ruled it could go ahead.
Villar Coelho is accused of ordering the murders of freelance journalist Dom Phillips, 57, and 41-year-old Bruno Pereira, an expert on the indigenous peoples of Brazil.
He is also being investigated in another case for participation in a criminal organisation and environmental crimes.
Villar Coelho has denied involvement in the killings, but police believe that he bought fish illegally from criminals in the area where Dom and Bruno went missing.
Cops also believe he trafficked drugs.
Three other men are also accused of involvement in the men’s deaths.
They are Amarildo da Costa Oliveira, nicknamed Pelado; Oseney da Costa de Oliveira, nicknamed Dos Dantos; and Jefferson da Silva Lima, nicknamed Pelado da Dinha.
The three – who have been arrested – face trial for aggravated double murder and concealment of a corpse.
Da Costa Oliveira and Da Silva Lima have reportedly confessed to the crime, while Da Costa de Oliveira’s involvement was mentioned in witness statements.
Dom and Bruno were last seen passing through the community of Sao Rafael on boat on 5th June.
They were en route to Atalaia do Norte around 45 miles away – around two hours by boat – but never arrived.
Their remains were found on 15th June after Da Costa Oliveira admitted to his involvement in the killings and told police where the bodies were.
The two had apparently been shot dead before being chopped up, burnt, and buried.
According to forensic experts, Dom was shot once in the chest, while Bruno took two bullets in the chest and one in the head.
