Brazilian Reporter Accidentally Finds Missing Teen’s Body During Live Report
A Brazilian journalist made a heart-wrenching discovery while reporting on the disappearance of 13-year-old Raissa, who vanished while swimming in the Mearim River near Bacabal in Maranhão state. On June 30, while demonstrating the river’s treacherous current during a live segment, reporter Lenildo Frazao unexpectedly stepped on something beneath the water’s surface.
The unsettling moment was captured on video, showing Frazao suddenly pausing mid-broadcast. “I think there’s something down here at the bottom of the water,” he said, visibly disturbed. Though unsure of what he encountered, he quickly alerted the rescue team.
Frazao’s instincts proved tragically accurate. Moments after he pointed out the area, divers from the local fire department recovered Raissa’s body from the exact location. Authorities later confirmed the cause of death as accidental drowning, with no signs of foul play.
Raissa had reportedly gone for a swim with friends to beat the heat, unaware of the river’s dangerous undercurrents and hidden sinkholes. Frazao had even warned viewers moments earlier about the river’s hazardous terrain.
“It felt like an arm, and I got a terrible feeling,” Frazao told media afterward. “I’ll never forget that moment.”
The incident has since gained national attention, with many praising Frazao’s quick response. Social media users have called for improved safety warnings in areas like the Mearim River to prevent such tragedies.
Raissa was laid to rest the same evening in her hometown of Bacabal. The incident has left a profound impact on Frazao, who has since returned to work but admits the experience has permanently changed him.
