Rest in peace Davi: After 3 years missing, your body was found inside a car… See moreLast Tuesday, March 18, authorities confirmed the sad outcome of a case that moved the population of Itiúba, in Bahia, and shocked Brazil. The child Davi Lima da Silva, missing three years and ten months ago, was found dead after getting lost in a wooded area.

Nearby car

The conclusion was announced after examinations confirmed that the skeleton, found in November 2023, belongs to the boy.

A desperate search for answers

Davi was last seen on March 28, 2021, during the school holidays at his grandmother’s house. His disappearance triggered an intense search effort involving family members, volunteers, and specialized teams.

Sniffer dogs, helicopters, and security forces were used to search the area, but only one of the boy’s sandals was found.

Despite all efforts, there are no concrete clues leading to the boy’s whereabouts. Hope of finding him alive faded with time, but his parents, Lilia Lima and Edson Alves, never stopped searching for their son.

The discovery that brought a painful end

At the end of November 2023, cowboys passing through a difficult-to-access forest area found bone remains and alerted authorities. After a detailed forensic analysis, the Institute of Forensic Medicine confirmed in January of this year that the bones belonged to Davi Lima da Silva.

Reports indicated that there is no evidence of foul play in the boy’s death. No signs of violence were identified on the bones, and the most likely hypothesis is that Davi died of natural or accidental causes after getting lost in the woods.
Mourning and longing: a family’s grief

Since his disappearance, Davi’s parents have kept his room intact, preserving every detail as if he could return home at any moment. Lilia Lima recounted visiting the space daily, seeking solace in his memories. “We never lose hope, no matter how much time passes. Now we just have to learn to live with this pain,” said his mother.

Edson Alves, the boy’s father, also expressed his grief over the final loss.

“It’s a void that nothing can fill,” he said emotionally. The confirmation of the death caused deep mourning for the family, but also put an end to the anguish that had dragged on for almost four years.