Prosecutors: Tourist Lynched in Amazon Had Bought a Pistol

Prosecutors say Sebastian Woodroffe is main suspect in shaman's killing
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 24, 2018 5:40 PM CDT
Canadian Lynched in Amazon Is Suspected of Murder
In this Sunday, April 22, 2018 photo, people cry over the coffin of plant healer Olivia Arevalo during her burial in Ucayali, Peru.   (La Gaceta Ucayalina via AP)

The Canadian man lynched in the Amazon last Thursday is the No. 1 suspect in the death of an octogenarian shaman, prosecutors say. Reuters reports on the new evidence that brought them to that conclusion: a silver-colored pistol prosecutor Ricardo Jimenez says Sebastian Woodroffe purchased in early April. They were told by a witness that the pistol tumbled out of the 41-year-old's backpack when locals, angry over Olivia Arevalo's death, grabbed him; he was subsequently lynched. Jimenez says no weapon has been found, but "he is the main suspect."

As for a motive, Jimenez says Arevalo's son owed Woodroffe nearly $4,500, though Jimenez told the BBC Arevalo's family claims Woodroffe became enraged when Arevalo wouldn't conduct an ayahuasca ceremony for him. Meanwhile, the AP reports Peru's attorney general has ordered two suspects be arrested in connection with Woodroffe's death. It adds forensic experts are examining the Canadian's remains to see if there is any evidence of his shooting Arevalo. (This ayahuasca ceremony ended in death in 2015.)

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