Nightclub owner says Rye Hunt was 'terrified' after taking drugs
Rio de Janeiro nightclub owner says missing man Rye Hunt was visiting him the night before his disappearance and claims the Australian was fearful after taking drugs.
Owner, Bruno Mouta says Mr Hunt and a friend were at his the night before he disappeared but claim the two men were taken to their hostel along with several bodyguards.
Mr Hunt has been missing since May 21 and last seen at Rio International Airport when he had an argument with his friend and travelling companion Mitchell Sheppard, 22.
Rye and his travel buddy had a row in the hours before he disappeared.
A fisherman reportedly sighted missing Australian man Rye Hunt on a Rio beach earlier this week but authorities haven't been able to locate him. Photo: Supplied
Earlier on Thursday, reports were circulating that Mr Hunt was found but Australian authorities have since confirmed this wasn't the case despite the sighting of a man on the island by a fisherman.
Brazilian police spokesman Elen Souto said, Mr Hunt and Mr Sheppard took MDMA at their hostel the night before the disppearance before going to the Raizes da Lapa nightclub, in the Lapa district.
Mr Mouta told ABC he was a translator for Mr Hunt and Mr Sheppard because the bartenders weren't able to speak english and claims the men were at his club until closing time
"I talked to them, and I could see they were like, high and they were not thinking straight, you know," Mr Mouta says adding they were under effect of an unknown drug
"So, they started to see things and they thought everyone there was staring at them, that everyone there wanted to kill them."
These are the alleged messages between Mitchell Sheppard and nightclub owner Bruno Mouta. Photo: ABC
The friends had travelled through Asia and south America together.
Mr Routa says both of the tourists were terrified, especially the one who is missing.
On Tuesday, May 24, Mr Mouta received a Whatsapp message from Mr Sheppard asking if he had seen his missing travelling companion.
"Hey Bruno sorry to disturb you!! Just a quick question! Have you seen my friend Rye at all?? The bloke I was with the other night?" the message read.
"He has been missing for 3 days now! Hasn't turned on his phone or logged into Facebook at all! Really starting to worry, just thought I would ask the question??"
The nightclub owner replied saying he hadn't seen Mr Hunt and telling him goodluck.
Mr Sheppard replies back saying: "My friend was freaking out and thought I was after him and trying to kill him! So then we separated at the airport and I haven't seen him since!!"
Mr Mouta claims the two men did not cause any trouble at the club and did not look like regular "drug users."
Rye Hunt pictured with his girlfriend Bonnie Cuthbert. Photo: Supplied
In a previous statement to AAP, Brazilian police said Rio De Janeiro's missing persons unit had on Monday local time received a phone call from a fisherman who reported seeing Mr Hunt on Cotunduba Island, about three kilometres off Leme.
Mr Hunt's family reacted cautiously to the initial reports although they were "hopeful".
"This information has not come via our official channels," the family said in a statement.
When the fisherman asked how he'd gotten to the island, the man - who identified as Australian - said he'd swum.
Authorities searched the island on Monday and again on Tuesday "but nothing was found", police said.
"Police are still trying to look for the Australian citizen."
Mr Hunt's belongings were found inside a rented apartment, including an open laptop following his disappearance. Photo: Facebook
His camera, travel wallet, toothbrush and shoes were also reportedly found. Photo: Facebook
Mr Sheppard apparently earlier suggested the pair leave Brazil - a month ahead of schedule - and travel to Bolivia.
Mr Hunt agreed and they took a taxi to Rio international airport before having an argument at a coffee shop.
Apparently Mr Hunt accused his 22-year-old friend of stealing his passport and trying to kill him.
Mr Hunt then caught a taxi, alone, to Copacabana around 2.30pm before booking into an apartment. He paid in advance for three nights.
The 25-year-old bought some beer, CCTV footage shows, before leaving his room around 6pm wearing thongs.
Mr Hunt hasn't been seen since - apart from Monday's sighting on the island.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) released a statement confirming Mr Hunt has not found and they are doing everything they can to find the man.
"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware that Brazilian police noted a possible sighting of Mr Rye Duval Hunt by a fisherman on an offshore island near Rio de Janeiro on the weekend," the statement read.
"We note that Brazilian police gave a press conference in the morning of 1 June stating that Mr Hunt had taken recreational drugs in the lead up to his disappearance.
"DFAT made contact with Mr Hunt’s family on the day he was reported missing on 24 May, and has maintained close contact since then."
"Australian Embassy officials are in Rio de Janeiro to provide support to Mr Hunt’s family members who travelled to Brazil on 1 June.
"The Embassy is continuing to work closely with Brazilian authorities as their search and investigation operation continues.
"We remain hopeful that Mr Hunt will be found safe and well, but continue to hold concerns for his safety."
