Missing American man found dead at base of waterfall after he was swept away by current while hiking in Brazil
- Florida resident Raul Jimenez was found dead at a waterfall in Brazil on Wednesday after he was reported missing Saturday
- The 30-year-old was walking through rocks when the water level suddenly increased and swept him away downstream
- A military unit specializing in search and rescue operations located Jimenez’s body at the base of the water in Chapada dos Veadeiro
A search and rescue team has recovered the body of an American who disappeared after he was swept away by a flash flood in the central Brazilian state of Goiás.
Raul Jimenez, 30, was found at the base of a waterfall in Alto Paraíso de Goiás on Wednesday, the fire department said.
Jimenez, of Delray Beach, Florida, was vacationing with two friends and went on a hike Saturday.
According to a GoFundMe account set up for Jimenez, ‘the water around the group began to rise, going from where they were able to walk on rocks to waist deep within just minutes. Shortly after, the water became shoulder deep, and Raul was swept away.’
Raul Jimenez, of Delray Beach, Florida, was found dead at a waterfall in Brazil on Wednesday. The 30-year-old disappeared while hiking Saturday after he was swept away by a flash flood
Still image from a video taken of surging water level at a waterfall in Brazil, where an American identified as Raul Jimenez was swept away Saturday and found dead Wednesday
Friends held a vigil in recent days after Raul Jimenez, of Delray Beach, Florida, went missing after he was swept away by a flash flood while hiking in Brazil
Giselle Real told TV Anhaguera earlier this week that the waterfall in Chapada dos Veadeiros ‘was calm’ when it suddenly picked up strength .
‘Raul was trying to grab the bag, but the water never stopped,’ Real said. ‘Stronger, more water. Raul left with the water …’
The fire department rescued one person who was stranded after Jimenez was swept away.
A military unit that specialized in search and rescue missions in floods was deployed Monday and led the operation to locate Jimenez.
At least $35,000 was raised through a GoFundMe account to help return his body to the United States.
Several touching tributes on social media honored Jimenez after news of his death was confirmed.
Raul Jimenez plays the flute at a spiritual ceremony. The 30-year-old was found dead Wednesday by a search and rescue team that was deployed in Alto Paraíso de Goiás, Brazil, after he went missing Saturday while hiking at a waterfall
Florida resident Raul Jimenez was found dead at the base of a waterfall in Brazil on Wednesday, four days after he was reported missing
‘Thank you for shining your light in to this world. Sharing your magic and your medicine wherever you went,’ Ananda Leigh wrote on Instagram along with a photo of her and her husband with Jimenez at their wedding in 2020.
‘Your smile lit up the room. With the sweetest hugs and loving soul,’ she added. ‘You will forever be in our hearts dear brother. I am lucky to have many special memories together playing, praying, singing, being silly, loving life.’
Grant Kellogg recalled having Jimenez present at a spiritual ceremony and how much he enjoyed watching him play the flute.
‘His presence made me feel loved, seen and appreciated,’ Kellogg wrote on his Facebook page. ‘Thank u for your impact on me. God bless you.’
