Melbourne: Police in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais have reportedly found a car suspected of being used in last week's assassination of popular Rio de Janeiro city councillor Mariella Franco.

Franco, a human rights activist and rising political star, was gunned down, along with her driver, after leaving a black women empowerment event in Rio on Wednesday night.

Brazilian magazine Veja reported on Monday a car fitting the colour, make and model of one seen in CCTV footage seemingly following Franco's car was picked up in the city of Uba, after a tip-off.

Veja said the driver of the car, known to authorities, was assisting Rio police with their enquiries.  Globo affiliate outlets said the driver could not explain where he had obtained the vehicle, naming two or three different places in Rio de Janeiro. However, they reported Rio police subsequently discarded the car and driver's involvement in Franco's murder saying shots were fired from a second car, not yet found.

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