Body of Rocinha Surf Instructor Found on Avenida Niemeyer

Overview

• A body was located on the Avenida Niemeyer costão by the Corpo de Bombeiros on Sunday during the fifth day of searches for José Ricardo Ramos, known as Bocão.
• The family has confirmed the recovered body is Bocão and a wake began at the Rocinha Surfe Escola while burial plans were set for Cemitério São João Batista in Botafogo.
• Authorities and volunteers conducted multi-day operations using divers, lifeguards, drones, jet skis and boats to comb the sea, nearby islands and the coastline.
• Video released by his son shows Bocão entering the water without a surfboard and relatives say he left documents on the beach; the son is seeking a couple who were on the shore that night to help reconstruct the last moments and the family reports recent financial difficulties.
• Bocão was the founder of the Rocinha surf school and a mentor to hundreds of children, prompting public tributes and community fundraising to cover funeral costs and support his family.