Roberto Farias Thomaz, 19, vanished during a nighttime hike in Pico do Paraná, Paraná state, in the early hours of January 1, 2026. He was with a recently met friend when he separated from the group on the descent after a light ascent to watch the sunrise. Intensive searches involve firefighters, volunteers, and helicopters, amid conflicting versions circulating on social media.
Roberto Farias Thomaz, an administration student at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) and occupational safety technician, disappeared in Pico do Paraná, the highest point in southern Brazil at 1,877 meters. The young man, described as active and sociable, met Thayane Smith, also 19, on December 31, 2025, at a bus terminal in Curitiba. They had known each other for less than a month and decided to camp at point A1 in Parque Estadual Pico Paraná to watch the 2026 sunrise.
Around 3 a.m. on January 1, the group woke to summit without backpacks or heavy gear, a common practice among experienced hikers. On the descent, in a rocky section, Roberto couldn't keep up. According to Thayane's initial account, he felt ill, and she proceeded to the base camp despite warnings not to leave him alone. Other hikers tried to locate him, without success.
Roberto's phone had gotten wet during the New Year's turn and was left in the tent. Thayane has faced attacks on social media, claiming she has full records of the hike, which she will disclose after the case concludes. Mountaineer Leandro Pierroti, who voluntarily joined the searches, challenged online simplifications in a viral video. He reported that Thayane went ahead with two runners, while a third stayed behind Roberto, who was just tired, not in serious condition. "They said he was tired, but not vomiting or in grave state," Pierroti stated. There was no major fight, only minor disagreements at the camp.
Paraná Civil Police opened an investigation on January 3, with no indications of crime so far. Family, Thayane, and mountaineers have been interviewed, with accounts cross-checked. The searches, among the most complex in the park due to dense vegetation, variable weather, and possible alternative routes, involve the Fire Department, volunteers, and helicopters. The Water and Earth Institute (IAT) closed trails like Caratuva, Pico Paraná, Getúlio, and Itapiroca since January 3 to prioritize operations.
