Canadian accused of murder is lynched in Peruvian Amazon

[Judi Lynn]

5 hours ago

A Canadian man was lynched in the Peruvian Amazon, after he was accused by members of an indigenous community of killing a local spiritual leader.

Police found Sebastian Woodroffe's body after video of his lynching on Friday was shared on social media, Peruvian prosecutors in Ucayali said.

Officials had launched a search for the 41-year-old after the murder of Olivia Arévalo, 81, near her home.

The Shipibo-Conibo tribe's healer was shot twice and died on Thursday.

More:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-43858482

[Judi Lynn]

1. For general info., from years ago: Peru shaman murders investigated

Peru shaman murders investigated
Peruvian government sends team to remote Amazon region to look into killing of 14 shamans, allegedly at behest of local mayor
Dan Collyns in Lima

@yachay_dc
Thu 6 Oct 2011 13.31 EDT

The Peruvian government is sending a team of officials to a remote region of the Amazon jungle to investigate the deaths of 14 shamans who were killed in a string of brutal murders.

The traditional healers, all from the Shawi ethnic group, were murdered in separate incidents over the last 20 months, allegedly at the behest of a local mayor.

. . .

Roger Rumrrill, an expert on Peruvian Amazon cultures and a government adviser, said some of the victims' bodies were thrown into rivers, to be devoured by piranhas and other fish.

He alleged that the mayor, who is an evangelical Christian, ordered the killings on hearing that the shamans planned to form an association. He said the mayor's brother was known in the area as a matabrujos or witch killer.

"For Protestant sects, the shamans are possessed by the devil; a totally sectarian, primitive and racist concept," he said.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/06/peru-shaman-murders