'He tried to tell the world what was happening to the rainforest.' Family and friends pay final respects to British journalist Dom Phillips, killed in the Brazilian Amazon while doing research for a book on how to save the world’s largest rainforest.
“Today, Dom will be cremated in Brazil, the country he loved, his chosen home. Today is a day of mourning.”on the Itaquai river, near the entrance of the Javari Valley Indigenous Territory, which borders Peru and Colombia. Three fishermen from nearby riverine communities were arrested. Two of them confessed to the murders, according to the police.and Indigenous tribes and poor fishermen hired to invade the Javari Valley to catch arapaima, turtles and game.
“He was killed because he tried to tell the world what was happening to the rainforest and its inhabitants,” said Phillips’ sister, Sian. “Dom understood the need for urgent change for political and economic approaches to conservation. His family and his friends are committed to continuing that work even in this time of tragedy. The story must be told.
After living in Rio for several years, the couple had moved to the northeastern city of Salvador, closer to Sampaio’s family, where Phillips taught English to students from poor communities. They were also in the process of adopting two children. “As we remember Dom as a loving, fun and cool big brother,” said Sian, “we are sad he was denied the chance to share these qualities as a father for the next generation.”Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative