Dom Phillips, fomer Mixmag editor, confirmed dead

A local Brazilian fisherman confessed to the murder.

British journalist and former Mixmag editor Dom Phillips has been confirmed dead by the Brazilian police authorities. His was one of two bodies discovered in the Amazon rainforest. The identification was made based on dental records. The second body is believed to be the Brazilian Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, who was with Phillips when both were reported missing on June 5th, although the body is still being examined prior to identification

Phillips (57) worked at Mixmag from 1991 to 1999, helming the magazine from ‘93 to ‘97, and coined the term “progressive house” in a 1992 article. Dom also wrote ‘Superstar DJs Here We Go!: The Rise and Fall of the Superstar DJ’ in 2009.

Since 2007, Phillips has primarily focused on Brazil, reporting on its indigenous communities and the environment, contributing pieces to the Guardian, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and more. Phillips had been critical of the policies of Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, corruption among the president’s political allies, and the illegal deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.

His associate, Bruno Araújo Pereira, was a former government employee whose work focused on protecting Brazil’s uncontacted tribes.

Amarildo da Costa, a local fisherman, confessed to murdering and dismembering the two men, according to regional police chief Eduardo Fontes at a press briefing on Wednesday, June 15.

“Now we can bring them home and say goodbye with love”, said Dom’s wife, Alessandra Sampaio, upon confirmation.

Read some of the industry’s most heartfelt tributes below:

“Heartbreakingly sad to finally get the confirmation that Dom Phillips and @Bruno Pereira’s bodies have been found in the amazon jungle. Dom and i knew each other for around 30 years. We travelled together all over the world(He wrote the sleeve notes for the Global Underground albums) and he always had a passion for everything he did. I hope that his murderers are caught and held accountable for their hideous actions. RIP mate you will be fondly remembered xxxx” – Nick Warren

“Dom was at the Mixmag reins at a time when club culture truly exploded – and under his stewardship, it was right at the epicentre, with a large and loyal readership. Equally loyal were Dom’s colleagues – he pulled together an excellent team of writers and support staff, so many of whom are still working in journalism and / or the music business to this day” – Nick Gordon Brown

“Not only was Dom a hugely respected, outstanding journalist whose words meant so much to so many, he was also stimulating company who always made you question your own perceptions and left you striving to be better. We’ve lost an authentic, courageous, brilliant man. He will be sorely missed by many. RIP Dom” – Dave Seaman