A man alleged to have masterminded the murder of a Merseyside journalist in the Amazon rainforest is set to stand trial. Rubén Dario da Silva Villar has been charged with the murders of Dom Phillips, originally from Bebington, and indigenous expert Bruno Pereira. The two were killed during an expedition in June 2022.
Background of the Case
Phillips and Pereira had traveled to a remote part of the Amazon in western Brazil for Phillips' upcoming book on illegal activities such as fishing, logging, mining, and drug trafficking. They were ambushed and killed near the town of Atalaia do Norte. Pereira worked for the indigenous organization Univaja, helping activists defend their territory against illegal fishing and mining gangs. Police believe Phillips was killed to eliminate a witness after witnessing Pereira's murder.
Their remains were discovered days later after suspects led authorities to a burial site and a sunken boat used in the attack.
Legal Proceedings
A federal judge in Amazonas state ruled this week that there are sufficient indications of authorship to try Silva Villar, known by his nickname Colômbia, before a jury. The Guardian reported that police concluded Pereira's work had caused significant losses to the criminal organization led by Silva Villar, which allegedly bought illegally caught fish for resale in Peru and Colombia.
Silva Villar is currently imprisoned on separate charges related to false documents. His defense team had sought dismissal of the murder charges, citing insufficient evidence. However, the judge found evidence of the materiality of the crimes and sufficient indications of authorship. The final decision will be made by a jury.
Evidence and Allegations
Prosecutors claim there were hundreds of phone calls between Silva Villar and the local men accused of carrying out the killings in the days before, during, and after the murders. The alleged mastermind is also said to have supplied the ammunition used and paid initial legal fees for one of the gunmen. The judge noted that while there is no indication Silva Villar directly carried out the killings, evidence points to a possible role as mastermind or participant.
No trial date has been set. Three local men accused of carrying out the murders and concealing the bodies are also in custody awaiting trial. Phillips had lived in Brazil for over a decade, earning a reputation as a respected journalist with deep regional knowledge and contributing to The Guardian. His widow, Alessandra Sampaio, completed his book How to Save the Amazon in 2025. Speaking in December 2024, she stated: If it is proven that they participated in the crime, they must pay for it.
