'I'm fearing the worst': Concerns grow as British man vanishes in Brazil with no belongings
Concerns are growing as it reaches a week since the disappearance of a British tourist in Brazil.
Denis Kopanev, left his Airbnb on 9 June at around 8:30pm without any of his belongings.
The 33-year-old lives in Southwark and was born in Russia but became a British citizen in 2019.
Footage from the night shows him leaving the gates, wearing a beige jacket and trousers with a baseball cap.
His belongings, including passport and personal effects, were left behind, and he failed to board his scheduled flight.
His friends say his phone has remained off since with his last known location being the west side of Lagoa Rodrigo de Feritas.
CCTV footage shows Denis Kopanev leaving his accommodation on 9 June in Gavea, Rio de Janiero.
Pedro Campos, a friend of Mr Kopanev told ITV News London he was in touch with him the night before his disappearance.
"I live in London and I last saw him here, but on Monday night before his disappearance, we were in touch," he explained.
"He messaged me, very excited about things he had done during the Brazil trip and excited about all the things that he was going to do during the trip.
"He was going to Sao Paulo the next day and yeah, so when he disappeared it was kind of a shock because he seemed so excited about everything that was going to happen."
Denis has been travelling to Brazil every year since 2018 and was meant to return to London at the end of June.
His friends are asking the public to "stay alert to any news and information".
But they are putting pressure on the Metropolitan Police to work with the Brazilian authorities.
"As I understand, the Rio police are asking the Met police for more timely cooperation," adds Mr Campos.
"I personally went to the police station to find out more, but I had a sense that there was no urgency. The communication with them online and on the phone remains vague, and we urge them to allocate resources to this. The longer they take, the more we fear for Denis."
It has been a week since Denis disappeared and his friends are increasingly worried.
"I'm feeling very worried, and it's been seven days now, and the thought of losing such a good friend is very distressing. There have been no breakthroughs as far as we know. Yeah, I'm very worried. I'm fearing the worst."
The Metropolitan Police say: "Officers are supporting an investigation into the sudden disappearance of 33-year-old Denis Kopanev.
"Denis was last seen in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday, 9 June at around 19:30hrs. He had travelled there from his home in Southwark, London.
"Brazilian police are leading the investigation, and are working closely with the Met, as well as the Foreign Office, Interpol and other international organisations.
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