In a deeply unsettling incident in northeastern Brazil, a television journalist inadvertently stepped on the body of a missing 13-year-old girl while reporting live from the scene of her disappearance. The shocking moment was caught on camera and has since gone viral, sparking widespread reactions online and renewed debate over media ethics.
The incident occurred at the Mearim River in Bacabal, Maranhão state, where the young girl, identified as Raissa, had been swimming with friends before vanishing on June 30,2025.
Journalist Lenildo Frazão, who was covering the story for a local television outlet, waded into the river to demonstrate the water’s depth and show the precise location where Raissa was last seen. Unaware of what lay beneath the surface, Frazão entered the water with a camera crew in tow.
As the water reached his chest, the reporter abruptly stopped and appeared visibly startled. In the now-viral footage, Frazão is seen quickly retreating toward shallower waters, casting concerned glances behind him.
“I think there’s something down here at the bottom of the water,” he told the crew. Moments later, he added, “No, I’m not going. I’m scared. It looked like an arm, could it be her? But it might be a fish too, I don’t know.”
Following the broadcast, emergency responders intensified their search at the same location. Hours later, divers recovered Raissa’s body from the exact spot where Frazão had been filming. While it remains unclear whether the journalist physically stepped on her remains, the circumstances have raised questions among viewers and local residents.
Raissa’s disappearance had already gripped the community, and the tragic discovery of her body confirmed the worst fears. A post-mortem examination concluded that she died from accidental drowning. No signs of foul play or physical trauma were detected.
The incident has triggered a wave of online speculation, with some social media users accusing the reporter of exploiting the tragedy for sensationalism. One commenter wrote, “What are the chances of that? I think he’s a suspect now.” Another said, “This feels like it was staged for drama. Absolutely disgraceful if true.”
Calls for an investigation into the reporter’s involvement have circulated online, though authorities have not named him as a suspect. Local officials have reiterated that the evidence supports accidental drowning as the cause of death.
Raissa was laid to rest on the evening of June 30 after a vigil attended by grieving family, friends, and classmates. Her school has since declared three days of mourning to honor her memory.
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