Headless Body of Journalist Found in Countryside of Minas Gerais

05/21/2015 - 10h32

The headless body of a journalist has been found in the countryside near Padre Paraíso in the Vale do Jequitinhonha in Minas Gerais. Evany José Metzker had been missing for five days. He was found half-naked, with his hands bound.

The police suspect political motives, or a crime of passion. Metzker, 67, kept a local news blog entitled "Coruja do Vale" ["Valley Owl"], in which he published criticism of the local government, reporting on the pollution of streams in the region and the illegitimate use of official vehicles.

Pieces of the journalist's body were found by the Military Police on Monday (18), with the head being found a long way from the body. On Tuesday (19), the Civil Police were able to identify Metzker.

Speaking through an advisor, the police officer leading the investigation, Fabricia Nunes, dismissed the possibility that the crime had been a robbery, as nothing had been taken from the victim. Metzker's cards, checks and other personal effects were found at the scene of the crime.

Nunes declined to be interviewed for this report. She is waiting for results from forensics before taking the next step in the investigation. On Wednesday (20) afternoon, the police returned to the scene of the crime to conduct fresh investigations.

Metzker was buried in Medina, a town close to Padre Paraíso.

The Minas Gerais Union of Journalists published a statement expressing its "repulsion" and urging "thorough investigation" of the crime.

"The union urges that the hypothesis that the murder is related to Metzker's journalistic activity not be dismissed without a full and thorough investigation," said the statement.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

Read the article in the original language