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Colombia Detains British Suspect as Necropsy Confirms Blunt-Force Trauma in Villalba Case

Prosecutors will seek the suspect's extradition to press aggravated femicide charges and build a forensic case in Bogotá.

Natalia Villalba fue hallada dentro de una maleta que conmociona a Colombia.
Mientras la justicia colombiana envió a prisión a Matthew Ashley Foster-Smith, el ciudadano británico no aceptó los cargos por la muerte de Natalia Villalba.
La muerte de la modelo Natalia Villalba ha conmocionado a Colombia por las circunstancias en las que fueron hallados sus restos.

Overview

  • The body of 37-year-old Natalia Villalba was found inside a partially open suitcase in a Bogotá rental on June 22, prompting a homicide probe.
  • Authorities identified 46-year-old British national Matthew Ashley Foster-Smith as the primary suspect and he was arrested in Quito before being ordered to prison on July 2.
  • Medicina Legal delivered a necropsy that found blunt-force trauma as the cause of death and concluded the body had been dismembered and placed in the suitcase.
  • The Fiscalía is compiling CCTV footage, biological traces and the victim's cellphone as evidence and has announced it will request extradition to bring formal charges.
  • British press reporting of prior UK convictions for harassment has been cited as background by investigators and the case has prompted cross-border cooperation from Interpol, Ecuadorian authorities and UK police.