BJJ student Rye Hunt, 25, was traveling the world since April 7 with buddy Mitchell Sheppard. The pair were at Rio airport on May 21, deciding where to go next, when they got into an argument over whether or not to go to Bolivia. They decided to cool off for 30 minutes, but Hunt instead left the airport in a taxi at about 2:30 p.m. and checked into an apartment in Copacabana at 3:30 p.m. He left his room at approximately 6:20 p.m. leaving behind his laptop, travel bags and a camera, among other personal items.
His bank card was used to make a purchase, and he has not been heard from since.
CCTV footage showed Mr Hunt walking through the airport; it is the last known image of him.
The friends has been to Thailand before they arrived in Brazil in mid May, and intended next to travel through South America, before flying to Europe, and eventually home. The trip was expected to take six months in all.
“They were arguing because they were trying to figure out how to get to Bolivia and what they would do there,” said his girlfriend of five years, Bonnie Cuthbert. “Rye was a bit more keen to go than Mitchell. It got a bit heated and Mitchell said ‘Look, let’s take 30, go for a walk and get a coffee and we’ll meet back here.’ Then Rye never met him.”
When Hunt did not reappear after the agreed-upon 30 minutes, Sheppard searched the airport for five hours to no avail, and then returned to the hostel in Copacabana they had been staying in. Sheppard became increasingly concerned as his friend failed to appear day after day, and reported him missing to the police after several days.
Hunt’s uncle and girlfriend will travel to Brazil this week to search for him. A GoFundMe has been been set up to help cover expenses.
“They’re three things that are key for us – the phone, wallet and passport,” said his girlfriend. “We know his backpack and camera and laptop were found however there was no mention, or specific reference to those other things.
“We’re frustrated that the information is taking so long to filter through but we are aware there’s a process.”
Cuthbert breaks down discussing the disappearance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VajSsK67yuY
Hunt and Sheppard:
Hunt and Cuthbert:
Rye Hunt:
