Police in Brazil have begun a murder investigation into the death of a 26-year-old Irishwoman at a tourist resort near Rio de Janeiro.
Ms Julie Curran from Dungarvan, Co Waterford, is believed to have died from a blow to the head with a stone. Her body was found on Sunday by fishermen near a waterfall on Ilha Grande, one of Brazil's most visited islands. A post-mortem was carried out yesterday. Police say she had been dead for three days.
Ms Curran left Ireland two months ago for a backpacking holiday in South America, where she was travelling alone. She extended the trip by a few weeks but was due to return home next Tuesday.
Her family was informed of her death yesterday and arrangements were being made to bring her body home. Her death has caused deep shock in Dungarvan where her family is well known. She had three brothers and two sisters.
Police in Brazil believe she arrived on Ilha Grande on Wednesday, where she was staying in a campsite. She was last seen there on Thursday. Newspapers in Rio de Janeiro reported yesterday that a witness to the attack on Ms Curran was interviewed by police on Monday.
It was also reported that her passport was missing when she was found. It is understood her body was identified by a man from Galway whom she had met in Brazil.
A journalist based in Rio de Janeiro said the island where Ms Curran was found is "the most beautiful in Brazil" and is hugely popular with tourists, including the rich and famous. "It's a place you would go to spot film stars," he said.
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman confirmed that an Irishwoman's body had been found on the island and that the Brazilian authorities were investigating.
