The Consulate General of the United States (USA) in Rio de Janeiro offered condolences to the family and confirmed the death of American tourist Joseph T. Thomas, in the early hours of today (12) at Hospital Samaritano Botafogo, in the south of Rio and informed that is providing consular assistance to his relatives in that country. The American came to Brazil on vacation and since July 6th he has been staying at the house of day laborer Célia Lopes da Silva, 48 years old.
“We offer our most sincere condolences to the family for the loss and are providing all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect for the family’s privacy at this difficult time, we have no further comment,” he said in a statement.
Brazilian friends say that he was a quiet boy and he liked Brazil a lot, love shown in the shirt where he wrote that Brazil is the best country in the world. “It even seems ironic,” said Célia in an interview with Brazil Agency.
Célia said that the young man was introduced to the family by the ex-boyfriend of her daughter Bianca Silva de Souza, 26, Mikael Valentim de Oliveira, 23, whom she also considers a son. After his grandmother’s death, Mikael moved in with the family. “Trey came to meet us. It’s been over four years since I’ve been friends with Mikael,” he said, adding that this was the first time Trey had stayed with the family.
“Flamengo fan,” Treyzinho wrote on the back of the club’s shirt, alluding to Trey, who represents the T. of his name and who he brought in his suitcase on his way to Rio de Janeiro. was making plans to watch Flamengo play at Maracanã,” said Célia.
Célia said that the young man was introduced to the family by the ex-boyfriend of her daughter Bianca Silva de Souza, 26, Mikael Valentim de Oliveira, 23, whom she also considers a son. After his grandmother’s death, Mikael moved in with the family. “Trey came to meet us. It’s been over four years since I’ve been friends with Mikael,” he said, adding that this was the first time Trey had stayed with the family.
In 2017, the young man had come to Brazil to exchange for a period of seven months. In the United States, the American taught Portuguese, a language he reinforced with Mikael, while he taught his friend English.“Every day they spoke to each other on the Internet,” he added.
Celia said that last night Joseph’s brain death had already been confirmed and they went to say goodbye to him at the hospital. “We went to see him at the hospital and said goodbye because when I got there last night his brain had already stopped and Bianca had already spoken to his mother.
According to Célia, members of the American consulate in Rio were at the hospital and Mikael returned documents from his friend that were with him, including a credit card. “His mother said that some things that are at the house will stay with Mikael, they are clothes, the phone”, she commented.
“I’m going to work because it’s very sad to stay at home. Mikael went to work and so did Bianca. There was nothing else to do and we have to get back to our rhythm, although sadness takes over, but we have to continue because we have commitment and we cannot let people down”, he added.
The diarist said that the family received a call this morning informing them that the young man had died and the body would be taken to the Legal Medical Institute (IML) in Rio. “The Consulate was there and was going to speed things up with Hospital Samaritano. They allowed Mikael, Bianca and I to go there, because the family was in Los Angeles and it was the only family he had here. We were friends”, she concluded.
