Fisherman’s body found being devoured by crocodile after pirates ‘threw him overboard’ during hijacking
THE BODY of a fisherman who was hijacked by pirates and reportedly thrown overboard was found being devoured by a 10ft crocodile.
Elias Araujo disappeared after he was allegedly attacked by over seven pirates, sparking a mass search for him in the Amazon.
It is unclear whether the attackers murdered Elias and dumped his body in the water - or whether he was attacked by the reptile as he fled.
The fisherman had been missing since October 16 before terrified locals found him being consumed by a black caiman on the river banks.
They spotted the huge croc eating his remains along the Rio Negro at the municipality of Novo Airao in the Brazilian state of Amazonas.
Local police chief Renato Simoes confirmed that Elias' body had been found, according to local reports.
He was reportedly attacked by several so-called "river pirates" while out on the waters with his pal Roberto Jos on Friday.
Roberto Jose managed to flee into a forested area and was found alive the following day, local news outlet Portal Tucuma reported.
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He was said to have been "terrified" and "in a state of shock" when he was discovered, before being taken to the Regional Hospital of Novo Airao and was discharged two days later.
The fire department began a search for Elias along with concerned locals who eventually came across his eaten corpse.
The black caiman - one of the largest crocs to roam the earth - was captured and killed, before being opened up in hopes they could retrieve some of the fisherman's remains.
The species have teeth that are designed to grab but not chew its prey, meaning they usually try to drown or crush their target before swallowing it.
When consuming large spoils, they typically store its flesh so that it rots enough for them to take bites out of it.
Elias' salvaged body parts are being sent to the Coroner's Office in the state capital, Manaus, to be analysed.
Police are currently investigating the circumstances of the fisherman's disappearance.
