New Charlotte Peet clues emerge in search for missing British journalist in Brazil

Detectives on the hunt for British journalist Charlotte Peet, who vanished in Brazil, have hit upon an encouraging lead they hope might shed light on her baffling case.

Charlotte went silent after February 8 when she texted a mate on WhatsApp about being in Sao Paulo and her plans to jet off to Rio de Janeiro, some 200 miles to the north.

It's now been 12 days without a peep to family or pals from the 32 year old journalist, and Brazilian sleuths scoured her phone and bank details to trace her steps, yet with no luck so far.

The civil police in Sao Paulo have even sifted through hospitals and mortuaries in their search, per reports. But, there's a turn of events this evening, as the local homicide and personal safety squad (DHPP) reckon they've sussed out that Charlotte snagged a plane ticket from Sao Paulo to Rio but didn't get on the flight.

Now the coppers are piecing together why she skipped out on her intended trip and are scouring CCTV to pick up clues on her whereabouts and what might've happened. Reports from Brazil's SBT news channel also tell of an American friend revealing that Charlotte's kin had been urging her to come home to Blighty come the end of 2023, worried about her "party life" out in Brazil.

Charlotte, a journalist who had previously spent two years in Brazil, returned to the country in November of last year without informing her family. However, it seems her stay was not intended to be lengthy, reports the Mirror.

Merely four days prior to her disappearance, Charlotte posted in a Facebook group about seeking rental accommodation in London.

She wrote: "Hello. I'm looking for a double room in South West/East London: East Dulwich, Brixton, Herne Hill, Clapham, Balham, Streatham, Camberwell etc or would consider venturing east to the right place. I'm a 32-year-old journalist, friendly, respectful and organised. I love reading, keeping active and chatting to friends.

"Let me know if I sound like a good fit! Thanks! ".

Charlotte's disappearance was reported on Monday by a friend in Rio de Janeiro after her family lost contact with her. As per Brazil's Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper, Charlotte's family provided the police with her bank account details and the IMEI number of her mobile phone to aid their investigation.

Despite several attempts by detectives from Rio de Janeiro's tourist police department (DEAT) to reach her via her mobile phone, all calls went unanswered. The police have not dismissed the possibility that Charlotte may have intentionally severed ties with her family and friends.

Derek Peet, the father of the missing journalist, revealed to Sky News that his daughter had returned to South America without informing her family. "I wouldn't say that it was normal, there was something on her mind obviously otherwise she would have let us know," he expressed.

A few days later, after losing contact with her, the family reached out to a friend and her mother reported her disappearance to the police. "She was then traced to Gatwick Airport and was found to have boarded a plane to Sao Paulo and then the trail went cold," Mr Peet explained.

"It's very worrying but I don't have any more to say, I'm very concerned but I just don't know what's going on, we're just trying to pick up the pieces really."

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The British Embassy in Brazil has confirmed that they are "assisting the British citizen's family and in contact with local authorities."

The Brazilian Foreign Press Association (ACIE) also voiced their concern over Ms Peet's disappearance. Edmar Figueiredo, the president of the association, stated: "The Brazilian Foreign Press Association (ACIE) would like to publicly express its concern about the disappearance of 32-year-old British journalist Charlotte Alice Peet and show solidarity with her family and friends."

Charlotte Peet, having dedicated over two years of her career to working in Rio de Janeiro as a freelance correspondent, made her way back to London before returning to Brazil in November last year. Her family has been active in aiding the investigation by providing details of her flight and a passport photo.

The statement expanded on her connections within the industry, noting: "As a freelance journalist Charlotte knew some of the foreign correspondents who are members of the Brazilian Foreign Press Association. She reported from Brazil for foreign media, including Al Jazeera and British and even Portuguese media outlets.

"The ACIE and its leadership calls on the relevant authorities to intensify their work to try to find the missing British journalist as soon as possible."