He Disappeared From Canada In 2012 And Reappeared Transformed In Brazil 5 Years Later

Updated on May 20, 2019 at 10:02 AM

by the editors

Anton Pilipa lived in Vancouver in 2012, before he disappeared. He has just been found, five years later, in Brazil, more than 10,000 km from his home, barefoot, with no papers or money. The 39-year-old man managed to survive by rummaging through garbage and picking fruit, but also thanks to the goodness of the people he met along the way. His family did not think they'd ever find him and was shocked by the news...

He Disappeared From Canada In 2012 And Reappeared Transformed In Brazil 5 Years Later

Anton Pilipa crossed two continents, walking mostly barefoot with nothing but the clothes he was wearing. His family desperately searched for this former aid worker who suffers from schizophrenia and had completely given up before receiving this shocking news. Anton had simply fled the country because he had to go to court for gun violence.

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A Brazilian policewoman of Canadian origin found Pilipa, who she mistook for a beggar at first. The whole family was in total shock. And with good reason. Anton had crossed at least ten countries: Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina and finally Brazil.

Anton has nevertheless managed this incredible journey and his reunion with his family is a miracle after the many trials he has experienced: flights, a lack of food and crossing the Amazon rainforest...a true survivor!