British journalist Charlotte Peet missing in Brazil

19 February 2025 , 11:15

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British journalist Charlotte Peet missing in Brazil

The freelance correspondent was last reported to be in Sao Paulo before losing communication with her family.

A British journalist has gone missing in Brazil, according to an association of foreign correspondents in the country, which is calling for authorities to step up the search.

Charlotte Alice Peet, 32, told a friend she was in Sao Paulo on 8 February but was planning to go to Rio de Janeiro before she disappeared.

Days later her family contacted the friend saying they had lost contact with the journalist.

She has worked as a foreign correspondent in Brazil, for organisations including broadcaster Al Jazeera and The Times newspaper, according to her LinkedIn profile.

The ACIE, the association of foreign press correspondents in Brazil, has issued a statement expressing concern about her disappearance, and to express sympathy for her family and friends.

It said the case was initially registered with police in Rio on Monday but referred to Sao Paulo, the last place she was known to have been before disappearing.

The Sao Paulo Public Security Secretariat said that the state department of homicide and protection of the person would assist in the case, according to the statement.

Charlotte worked in Rio more than two years ago as a freelance correspondent, then went back to London before returning to Brazil in November last year.

She is said to have contacted a friend in Rio on WhatsApp saying she needed a place to stay but was told the friend could not host her.

Ms Peet’s family have provided information about her flight to Brazil and a photo of her passport to help with the search.

"The ACIE and its board of directors call on the competent authorities to intensify the search in order to find the British journalist as soon as possible," a statement on behalf of its president Edmar Figueiredo and its board of directors said.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has been reported as missing in Brazil and are in contact with the local authorities."

James Smith