What was meant to be a tranquil weekend of fishing in the lush, breathtaking Chapada Diamantina region of Bahia, Brazil, turned into one of the country’s most unsettling and enduring mysteries. On a fateful Friday in May 2010, three inseparable friends—Rafael Alves Pereira, Bruno Santos Costa, and Diego Ferreira Lima—set out from their hometown of Feira de Santana for the crystal-clear waters of the Mucugê River. They were never seen again. Their disappearance, which at first seemed like a typical missing persons case, took a sinister turn with the discovery of an abandoned campsite and a chilling handwritten note that spoke of a desperate flight from unknown pursuers.

This is the story of three young men, a vast, beautiful, and dangerous wilderness, and a mystery that has baffled investigators and haunted a community for over a decade.

The Trio: Passion, Prudence, and Adventure
Rafael, Bruno, and Diego were more than just friends; they were a well-oiled machine built for adventure. Each brought a unique skill set to their shared passion for fishing and exploring the wilderness.

Rafael Alves Pereira, 28, was the natural leader. An electronics technician with a warm, infectious smile, he was the heart of the group. His lifelong passion for fishing, nurtured since childhood by his father, had turned him into an expert angler with an intimate knowledge of the region’s rivers and lakes. He was the chief planner, meticulously organizing every detail of their expeditions, from mapping routes to buying gear. His friends joked that he had a mental map of every river in Bahia.

Bruno Santos Costa, 26, was the group’s brain. As a meticulous and detail-oriented accountant, he brought a level of caution and preparation that was essential for their trips. Known for his serious demeanor and sharp intellect, Bruno was the one who double-checked everything—weather forecasts, supply lists, and safety equipment. His mother recalled how he never left anything to chance. He was the one who ensured they were always prepared for any contingency, a trait that makes their eventual fate all the more perplexing.

Diego Ferreira Lima, 24, was the youngest and most adventurous. A swimming instructor with boundless energy and a body covered in tattoos that told stories of his exploits, Diego was the group’s source of youthful exuberance. He was always on the hunt for new waterfalls and trails, bringing an element of spontaneous exploration that balanced Rafael’s experience and Bruno’s prudence. He had joined the group just two years prior, but quickly became the third member of a bond as close as brothers.

They had embarked on dozens of trips together, starting with simple fishing spots near their homes and gradually tackling more ambitious expeditions. The Chapada Diamantina, a region famed for its breathtaking landscapes and abundant rivers, was their ultimate goal. Rafael had spent over a year researching the area, consulting with local guides, and planning what he hoped would be the perfect trip.

The Trip That Vanished
The trio set off on the morning of Friday, May 14, 2010, in Rafael’s white Chevrolet Corsa. Their car was packed with gear and their hearts filled with the anticipation of a long-awaited adventure. Their plan was simple: meet a local guide named Antônio Silva Santos in the town of Lençóis, get to the Mucugê River, and set up camp.

Their last known communication was a phone call Rafael made to his mother at 2:30 p.m. that Friday. He told her they had arrived safely, were in Lençóis getting a few last-minute supplies, and would call her on Sunday when they returned. It was the last time any of their families would hear their voices.

The guide, Antônio, confirmed he met the three young men and was impressed by their preparation and enthusiasm. He led them to a secluded clearing by the river, a known fishing spot with calm waters and a perfect place to set up camp. He left them there around 4 p.m., after giving them a final briefing on the local dangers—from currents to wildlife. The plan was for Antônio to return on Monday to pick them up.

But when Monday came, Antônio found the clearing empty. No tent, no gear, no sign of the three friends. Thinking they might have left early, he drove back to Lençóis, only to find Rafael’s car still parked exactly where they had left it. A serious concern turned into genuine alarm, and Antônio promptly reported their disappearance to the military police.

Meanwhile, back in Feira de Santana, the families were frantic. When Sunday evening passed with no word, they began trying to call the men, but every call went straight to voicemail. By Monday morning, when none of the men showed up for work, their fathers, João Alves Pereira and Carlos Ferreira Lima, set off for Lençóis, where they learned of Antônio’s report. An official, large-scale search was immediately launched. Over the next three days, more than 60 people—firefighters, volunteers, and local guides—combed a 15-kilometer radius around the campsite. Helicopters from the Fire Department flew overhead. Rivers were explored, and caves were inspected. But there was no sign of Rafael, Bruno, or Diego.

The Note That Changed Everything
Six days into the search, a team of firefighters discovered human footprints leading away from the river, deep into a dense, unmapped section of the cerrado. The tracks, clearly from hiking boots, showed the marks of at least three individuals walking at a normal, unhurried pace. They followed the trail for two kilometers before it disappeared into a rocky terrain. The footprints, however, pointed the search team toward a new, unexplored area of the forest.

On Friday, May 21, exactly one week after the disappearance, the most critical piece of evidence was found. Hidden in a natural depression protected by rocky outcrops, about 15 kilometers from their intended campsite, was their tent. But it was not set up for camping. It was abandoned, with gear and supplies scattered haphazardly around.

Even more disturbing was the location. It was far from any water source or logical reason for a campsite. But what truly sent shivers down the spine of every investigator was a crumpled piece of paper found on the floor of the tent. Written in a hurried, nervous hand, the note read: “They have been following us since yesterday. We couldn’t go back the way we came. We will try to get out through the north trail. If anyone finds this, tell our families we tried to resist. Rafael, Bruno, Diego.”

The discovery instantly transformed the investigation from a missing persons case into a criminal one. The note, later confirmed to be written by Rafael, showed clear signs of extreme stress and urgency. The police now had a new objective: not just to find the three friends, but to identify the mysterious “they” mentioned in the note.

The lead investigator, delegate Henrique Silva Barbosa, confirmed what the note suggested: something very serious had happened. Three experienced campers would not abandon their gear and flee into a remote area without a powerful reason. The possibility of them having stumbled upon illegal activities—like clandestine gold mining or drug plantations—was considered. Rumors of a group of mysterious men seen in the area around the same time were investigated, but descriptions were vague and contradictory.

A Cold Case and a Father’s Heartbreak
For years, the search continued, albeit intermittently. Firefighters conducted monthly operations. Volunteers combed the vast wilderness. João Alves Pereira, Rafael’s father, organized his own expeditions almost every weekend, refusing to give up. He spent his life savings hiring private detectives and offering a reward for information. But every lead, every report of a possible sighting, turned out to be a dead end.

The emotional toll on the families was immeasurable. Ana Paula Santos Costa, Bruno’s mother, developed a heart condition, which doctors attributed to prolonged stress. She described the not knowing as a “torture.” João Alves Pereira passed away in 2018 at the age of 65, his friends saying he died of a broken heart, never knowing what happened to his son. Rosa Maria, Rafael’s mother, continues to visit the Chapada Diamantina twice a year, a silent vigil of hope. Carlos Ferreira Lima has become obsessed with conspiracy theories about his son’s disappearance, a quest that has taken a heavy toll on his mental health and that of his wife.

The case of the three friends became a local legend, a chilling cautionary tale told to tourists about the hidden dangers of the beautiful Chapada. Authorities have since increased safety measures, but nothing has brought Rafael, Bruno, and Diego back.

Today, 14 years later, their fate remains a complete mystery. The “north trail” mentioned in the note was never a clearly defined path, leaving investigators with more questions than answers. The possibility that one of them may have survived and attempted to escape continues to haunt those who knew them. Was it a confrontation with criminals? A fatal accident in the unforgiving wilderness? Or something even more sinister?

The memory of the three friends is preserved in a plaque at the local fishing club, a reminder of their passion and a warning about the importance of safety. The Chapada Diamantina, for all its beauty, has held its secret close. And the frightening note found in an abandoned tent remains the sole, terrifying piece of evidence of what may have been a final, desperate flight for their lives.