Police are preparing to investigate the sole survivor of the Meco beach tragedy for murder, according to the Correio da Manhã newspaper.
João Miguel Gouveia (pictured) has been silent since six of his friends were swept to their deaths by a freak wave, late on the night of December 15.
At first, it was thought the deaths were just tragic accidents, but more and more details have emerged pointing to the fact that it could all have been an ‘academic ritual’ (‘praxe’) gone horribly wrong.
Only João Gouveia can settle the doubts, and this is very possibly why police are said to be finalising details to make him a witness in an investigation for murder.
Correio da Manhã suggests that the case will be one of murder by negligence.
The paper has been carrying the ongoing “story” of Meco for weeks, focusing mainly on parents’ doubts and their heartfelt appeals to Gouveia to settle unanswered questions.
The parents have now hired a lawyer who will be representing them in the upcoming legal case.
