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February 19, 2025 – UK/Brazil –
Charlotte Peet, a 32-year-old British freelance journalist, has been missing in Brazil since February 8, 2025. Her last known communication was a message to a friend in Rio de Janeiro, stating she was in São Paulo and planning to travel to Rio. When the friend was unable to host her, Peet ceased communication, prompting concern from her family and the filing of a missing person’s report.
Peet, fluent in Portuguese, had previously worked as a foreign correspondent in Brazil for nearly two years before returning in November 2024. She has contributed to outlets such as Al Jazeera, The Times, and The Telegraph.
Brazilian authorities have been investigating her disappearance, with police visiting locations to determine her whereabouts. Investigators have accessed photos from her phone, showing her on a bus to Rio de Janeiro and at a bar near Copacabana beach. These images suggest she arrived in Rio on February 8 and stayed at hostels in Copacabana and Botafogo until at least February 24.
Despite her phone remaining active, calls have gone unanswered. Authorities have been unable to locate her, leading to the hypothesis that she may have disappeared voluntarily. Under Brazilian law, voluntary disappearance is not a crime, and unless Peet consents, her location cannot be disclosed to her family.
The British Foreign Office is supporting Peet’s family and coordinating with Brazilian authorities. Her father, Derek Peet, expressed deep concern over her disappearance, noting that she usually maintained regular contact with her family.
As the investigation continues, Peet’s family and friends remain hopeful for her safe return.
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