Watch: A Reporter Accidentally Steps On Missing Girl's Body During Live Coverage Of Her Case
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What started as a routine news segment took a horrifying turn in Brazil, when a journalist seemingly stumbled upon the body of a missing 13-year-old girl while reporting from the very river she had vanished in. The incident unfolded at the Mearim River in Bacabal, northeastern Brazil, where teenager Raissa had disappeared just days earlier while swimming with friends.
Lenildo Frazao, a local TV reporter, was filming a segment to show viewers the river's conditions and highlight how dangerous the area was. As he walked into the water to demonstrate its depth, a moment of unease crept in. When the water reached his chest, Frazao abruptly froze and appeared visibly startled.
“I think there’s something down here at the bottom,” he told his crew, stepping back in alarm. “It looks like an arm. Could it be her? But it might be a fish too, I don’t know.” Clearly shaken, he refused to continue further and quickly made his way to the shore.
Soon after the live broadcast, firefighters and divers resumed their search-this time focusing on the spot Frazao had just walked through. Their efforts led to the tragic discovery of Raissa’s body lodged on the riverbed, exactly where the journalist had felt something beneath him. While it remains unclear whether Frazao had truly stepped on her body, the timing and location were eerily precise.
According to the post-mortem report, Raissa had drowned accidentally. There were no signs of physical trauma or foul play. Her body was recovered on June 30, and she was laid to rest later that evening. In her memory, her school declared a three-day mourning period, and a community vigil was held where friends, family, and residents gathered to light candles and pray for her soul.
During his initial segment, Frazao had pointed out the hidden dangers of the Mearim River-strong currents, sudden drop-offs, and deep holes that make it particularly risky for swimmers, especially children.
Lenildo Frazao, a local TV reporter, was filming a segment to show viewers the river's conditions and highlight how dangerous the area was. As he walked into the water to demonstrate its depth, a moment of unease crept in. When the water reached his chest, Frazao abruptly froze and appeared visibly startled.
“I think there’s something down here at the bottom,” he told his crew, stepping back in alarm. “It looks like an arm. Could it be her? But it might be a fish too, I don’t know.” Clearly shaken, he refused to continue further and quickly made his way to the shore.
Soon after the live broadcast, firefighters and divers resumed their search-this time focusing on the spot Frazao had just walked through. Their efforts led to the tragic discovery of Raissa’s body lodged on the riverbed, exactly where the journalist had felt something beneath him. While it remains unclear whether Frazao had truly stepped on her body, the timing and location were eerily precise.
According to the post-mortem report, Raissa had drowned accidentally. There were no signs of physical trauma or foul play. Her body was recovered on June 30, and she was laid to rest later that evening. In her memory, her school declared a three-day mourning period, and a community vigil was held where friends, family, and residents gathered to light candles and pray for her soul.
During his initial segment, Frazao had pointed out the hidden dangers of the Mearim River-strong currents, sudden drop-offs, and deep holes that make it particularly risky for swimmers, especially children.
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