Full Story Missing in the Amazon: the disappearance, episode one
Dec 29, 2025
In a gripping investigation, a British journalist and an indigenous defender vanish in Brazil's remote Amazon. The vibrant yet perilous Javari Valley becomes the backdrop for their mysterious disappearance. As the search intensifies, tensions rise among local communities and poachers. Families express outrage at government inaction, igniting public pressure for answers. Indigenous searchers display unwavering determination, navigating paranoia and danger as clues begin to emerge. This series sets the stage for a deeper exploration of both the case and the struggles over the Amazon.
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The Morning They Didn’t Arrive
- Tom Phillips describes arriving at the riverbank where Bruno and Dom were expected and waiting anxiously as they failed to appear.
- Orlando and Tatako launched a search after half an hour of no sign and rising worry.
Javari As A Strategic Criminal Corridor
- The Javari Valley is a vast, remote battleground where uncontacted tribes and criminal networks collide.
- It functions as a major drug-smuggling route linking coca production in Peru to ocean routes toward Europe.
A Friendship Cut Short
- Tom Phillips recounts his close friendship and reporting partnership with Dom, including birthday messages exchanged days before the trip.
- He immediately felt shock and disbelief when Dom vanished after that exchange.