[Mitchell]

The story now is that he never made it to the ship, but died in his hotel room.

This is likely just a foreign reporter's mistake, in my view. I think I've read all the accounts in the Brazilian press, and I don't recall any of them giving this story (or even, I think, mentioning a hotel room); in fact, weren't some of the Portuguese accounts quite specific that he died on board the ship?

I tend to believe the local press regarding details like this. The local reporters are closer to the sources, they speak the language, and they aren't as likely to be involved in geopolitical spin.

[Dixie Mom]

weren't some of the Portuguese accounts quite specific that he died on board the ship?

Yes. Every article I've read prior to today's Reuters story has indicated he died on the ship.