'Pit Man' Appeared Prepared for Death... 'Last Indigenous Resident' Who Lived Alone for 26 Years Passes Away

Brazilian Authorities Decide on Autopsy... Clarifying Exact Cause of Death

The Brazilian National Indian Foundation captured an indigenous person living alone in the Brazilian Amazon jungle.
Photo by Brazilian National Indian Foundation website capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] The last indigenous member of a tribe who lived alone in the Brazilian Amazon jungle, cut off from the outside world, has passed away.

According to recent reports from CNN Spanish and the BBC, the Brazilian National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) discovered the deceased tribe member on the 23rd. It is estimated that the time of death was 40 to 50 days before the discovery.

The foundation stated that the man appeared to have died lying in a hammock in his hut. No signs of external intrusion were found, and several feathers were placed around the man. Regarding this, indigenous expert Marcelo dos Santos told local media, "He was preparing for death."

The man, whose name is unknown, was called "the loneliest man in the world." He was also nicknamed "the Pit Man" due to his habit of hiding in pits before hunting animals. He had lived alone for at least the past 26 years deep in the Tanaru indigenous area of the Amazon jungle.

According to the media, he avoided government officials who approached to protect indigenous people. He had built a total of 53 huts in various locations.

The foundation observed the man's lifestyle from a distance. There was no trace of other people passing near the huts, and it was reported that during his lifetime he cultivated corn and papaya.

Brazilian authorities have decided to conduct an autopsy to clarify the exact cause of the man's death. They are also monitoring the area around the huts using drones and 3D scanners.

Meanwhile, according to the indigenous rights group Survival International, the man's other tribe members were wiped out after the 1970s due to attacks by land grabbers such as developers trying to clear land and cattle ranchers.