Missing Australian man Rye Hunt 'found alive': reports

UPDATE: Brazilian police believe they may have found Australian man Rye Hunt who has been missing for more than 10 days.

Police found the man on an island near Rio and are still trying to confirm his identity.

Rye Hunt. Photo: Supplied
Rye Hunt. Photo: Supplied
Hunt's belongings were left inside a rented apartment. Photo: Supplied
Hunt's belongings were left inside a rented apartment. Photo: Supplied

It's believed he may have gone missing after suffering a psychotic episode.

There have been reports Rye was seen on island three days after he disappeared.

The last known image of Rye before he got into a taxi at Galeao International Airport on May 21 after a 'verbal altercation' with his friend and travel companion Mitch Sheppard.
The last known image of Rye before he got into a taxi at Galeao International Airport on May 21 after a 'verbal altercation' with his friend and travel companion Mitch Sheppard.

Relatives of missing Tasmanian Rye Hunt have travelled to Brazil to meet Australian and Brazilian authorities to help in the search.

Mr Hunt's family "acknowledge and appreciate the consular support" provided to his uncle and partner on their journey to Brazil.

His sister Romany Brodribb pleaded for Mr Hunt to "Come home to us".

"My brother is a kind, thoughtful, loyal and generous person who is, above all, spirited and fun. I miss his cheeky nature and his big bear hugs," Ms Brodribb said in the statement.

Mr Hunt has been missing since May 21 when he left Galeao International Airport alone in a taxi after an argument with his travelling companion, Mitchell Sheppard, and booked into a Copacabana apartment.


Mr Hunt's family on Tuesday said he had checked into a room in the famous beach district just one hour after leaving the Rio airport about 2.30pm on the Saturday he vanished.

He left that apartment about 6.20pm leaving behind a laptop, travel bags, a camera and other items.

The family has received an itemised list of Mr Hunt's belongings from the apartment, with photos.

The friends had travelled through Asia and south America together.
The friends had travelled through Asia and south America together.

On Tuesday, the family said they felt they were being kept in the dark by authorities on the search.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she was unaware Mr Hunt's family felt they weren't receiving regular updates from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

DFAT was passing information from Brazilian authorities to the Hunts whenever they received it, the minister told reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday.