The search for the body of British adventurer Emma Kelty in the Amazon River has been scaled back amid fears her remains have been eaten by piranhas.
Fire service divers ended their eight-day hunt of the murky water on Friday and her family now faces the prospect her body may never be found.
Ms Kelty, 43, was 42 days into a 4,000-mile solo kayaking trip from the source of the Amazon to the sea, when she was allegedly murdered by seven pirates who shot her twice, stabbed her and then threw her into the murky and muddy river.
The gang have allegedly confessed to killing Emma as they wanted to steal her belongings – some of which have been displayed by police during a press conference.
The search for the body of British adventurer Emma Kelty in the Amazon River has been scaled back amid fears her remains have been eaten by piranhas
Ms Kelty, 43, was 42 days into a 4,000-mile solo kayaking trip from the source of the Amazon to the sea, when she was allegedly murdered by seven pirates who shot her twice, stabbed her and then threw her into the murky and muddy river. Pictured: Four of the suspects arrested after her death
Pictured: The canoe used by the suspects and the kayak belonging to Emma Kelty, which police presented at a press conference
Detective Jose Barradas said: ‘Emma was bleeding from wounds inflicted by the suspects.
‘They apparently cut her near the shoulder and neck so she would bleed out and attract carnivorous fish like piranha and candiru that would be attracted by the smell of blood and devour the flesh from her body when they threw her into the water.
‘It was a ruthless and calculating move to get rid of the evidence.
‘We found that the kayak’s covering was sliced open in several places by the suspects who we believe were looking for hidden items in the body of the boat.
‘The suspects also admitted they cut up the kayak with a knife belonging to the victim in an effort to sink it but it is a vessel made from material that does not sink.
Her belongings, including this drone, were displayed by police at a press conference on Saturday
Detective Jose Barradas said it appeared Kelty’s murderers had stabbed her with the intention of making her bleed in the river, thereby attracting carnivorous fish
‘We found some nutritious superfood packages in Emma’s kayak. This food was seen in videos recorded on the sportswoman’s memory card found in her camera.’
Police are still searching for the body of the former headteacher from Finchley, North London, but the navy also suspended their operations on the Solimoes River last Wednesday.
Deputy chief of Amazonas civil police Ivo Martins said: ‘Since Friday 15 September, three fire brigade divers have been carrying out depth dives in and around the area where the body was apparently thrown by the criminals.
On Saturday, the kayak belonging to the British woman (pictured) and the canoe used by the suspects were put on display as Amazon cops said they plan to examine it for traces of blood
‘The recovery mission faced tremendous difficulties as there is zero visibility beneath the surface. The diving search effort was ended on Friday afternoon and the navy river patrol boat returned to Manaus to resume its normal operations. We have not found the victim’s body.
‘Police from the cities of Coari, Codajas and Anori will now continue with the hunt for Emma’s remains along the river’s shores and its surface.’
On Saturday, the kayak belonging to the Briton and the canoe used by the suspects were put on display as Amazon cops said they plan to examine it for traces of blood.
Investigators reported they have already recovered a number of items belonging to the victim including the drone, mobile phones, camera, GPS and sim card.
Seven suspects were involved in the crime. Four are in custody, one was shot dead in a rival gang attack and two are still at large.
Cops believe the two fugitives, named as Erimar Ferreira da Silva, known as ‘Chico’, and Nilson Ferreira da Silva, known as ‘Ze Preto’, have escaped to neighbouring states.
Police said: ‘We found some nutritious superfood packages in Emma’s kayak. This food was seen in videos recorded on the sportswoman’s memory card found in her camera’. Pictured: Some more of her possessions
Amazonas civil police detective Frederico Mendes revealed that Brazil’s interstate police bureau (Polinter) has been alerted.
He said: ‘The goal is to close in on the suspects and catch them even if they have fled to other states. We have also called on local residents to alert us to the whereabouts of the two escapees.
‘Polinter has been issued with arrest warrants and pictures of the suspects who are believed to have committed this barbaric crime,’ he said.