Hunt for mystery pair of US missionaries who 'encouraged ' John Chau to convert bloodthirsty North Sentinel island tribe
John Chau, 26, was shot dead with arrows by a protected remote Sentinelese tribe during his quest to convert North Sentinel islanders to Christianity.
Fishermen who took Chau to the island say they saw tribespeople, who are isolated from the outside world, dragging and burying his body on the morning of November 17.
And cops are now investigating whether he was encouraged to travel to the island – which is protected by the Indian Government – by a pair of Americans.
Dependra Pathak, Andaman and Nicobar Islands police director-general, said the suspects had already left India.
He said the pair were “into evangelical activities” and persuaded him to visit the island.
Mr Pathak told AFP: “We are investigating the role of at least two Americans, a man and a woman, who met with the man who went to the island.
“These other two, who have since left the country, were reportedly into evangelical activities and encouraged him to visit the island.”
The two Americans have not been named but Mr Chau has previously been linked to Christian missionary group All Nations.
Mr Pathak added that the pair used local mobile phone numbers and was able to trace them through calls made to Mr Chau.
It has now emerged that Mr Chau attended an All Nations “missionary boot camp” before his trip.
He received training and was blindfolded being dropped into remote locations in Kansas.
Mr Chau, who was “obsessed” with the Sentinelese, was later attacked by people armed with fake spears.
All Nations international executive leader Mary Ho told the New York Times: “John was one of the best participants in this experience that we’ve ever had.”
Mr Chau described himself on Instagram as a Wilderness EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, Outbound Collective Explorer and a Snakebite Survivor.
One of the police sources said Chau, who had made previously visited the islands, had a strong desire to meet the Sentinelese.
Chau hired a fishing dinghy and, aided by fishermen, reached the vicinity of the island on November 16, before transferring to a canoe, the official said.
A source said: “He tried to reach the Sentinel island on November 14 but could not make it. Two days later he went well prepared. He left the dinghy midway and took a canoe all by himself to the island.
"He was attacked by arrows but he continued walking. The fishermen saw the tribals tying a rope around his neck and dragging his body.
“They were scared and fled but returned next morning to find his body on the sea shore.”
The Sentinelese are a community of hunter-gatherers who are isolated from the outside world.
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