Toronto man missing for five years found on Brazilian highway

A Toronto man who went missing nearly five years ago has been found after being discovered walking along a highway ... thousands of miles away in Brazil.

Anton Pilipa, 39, returned home Monday with his brother after being located by police in Rondônia, Brazil, in November.

Pilipa was first reported missing in 2012, shortly after starting treatment for schizophrenia, his brother told BBC Brasil. At the time, Pilipa left behind documents, clothing and his house, and his family reported him missing to police.

Stefan Pilipa said he believes that his brother made it to Brazil partially by walking — at times without shoes — and by hitchhiking and hiding in the back of trucks.

The Pilipa family first heard that Anton was alive in late December. Brazil police pieced together Anton's identity, despite the fact that he could not speak Portuguese and did not have any identification. Brazilian police officer Helenice Vidigal, who spoke English and had previously lived in Canada, told CBC News that she was able to ask him questions. Although he didn't tell her much, she learned that Anton was from Canada.

"I thought, if he says he's Canadian, I'm sure I can find his family," Vidigal said.

The news of Anton being found was dampened briefly when Anton — who was placed in a hospital — ran away. He was eventually found safe again in January and was placed in a hospital a second time.

Stefan told CBC News that when he first saw Anton, he looked "really rough" and that Anton's health was starting to deteriorate. Despite that, Stefan told the news site that these days, Anton looks "remarkably well."

"I feel amazed that he's alive and had made it that far," Stefan said.

Stefan said he didn't want to press his brother just yet on what happened while he was missing, but a few details have emerged. The two brothers spoke with BBC Brasil, and Anton said that he was able to survive over the past few years by looking for food and clothes in the trash, and occasionally receiving food from strangers.

Anton, for his part, told the news site that he feels lucky to be alive and going home.

Anton is back with family in Canada, but there are legal issues being addressed following his disappearance. Anton, who is facing charges stemming from an altercation in 2011, disappeared before he was set to appear in court. Upon arriving in Toronto on Monday, he was arrested on the outstanding charges. He was later released on bail the same day and will head back to court.