Man found dead in Brazil had no enemies - sister

Sao Paulo, Brazil, where Patrick Dunphy was found dead in his apartment 12 days ago. File photo / Thinkstock

A man suspected of being the victim of foul play in Brazil had no enemies who would want to kill him, says his sister.

The body of Patrick Dunphy, 63, a Briton raised in Auckland, was found in his apartment in Sao Paulo, 12 days ago and police said there was evidence he had been poisoned.

Police said four cups were also found in his apartment, indicating he had not been alone when he died.

However, his sister in Auckland, Nicola McGill, said her brother did not move in the criminal underworld and he had no enemies that she knew of who wanted him dead.

An autopsy was due on Mr Dunphy's body to determine how he died.

Ms McGill said family in New Zealand had not been given any details of his death which was being handled by the British High Commission as he held a British passport.

She said he had no family outside New Zealand, and it was too soon to say if his body would be brought back to New Zealand to be buried.

Mr Dunphy was a translator and author. He said on his website he had been working as a translator for six years.

A father of three, he was raised in Tuakau south of Auckland, and went to Mt Albert Grammar School in Auckland.

He went to Brazil after his marriage split up about 30 years ago.

- NZPA