Brit arrested after woman’s body found in suitcase | World | News

The British doctor wanted in connection with the murder of the Colombian model whose body was found in the suitcase was arrested in Ecuador. Matthew Foster-Smith, 46, from Dorset, was detained at Quito International Airport on Wednesday after Colombian authorities obtained an arrest warrant and an Interpol Red Notice.

Colombian prosecutors allege Foster-Smith broke into the apartment where Natalia Villalba was staying, fatally attacked her and then hid her body in a suitcase before fleeing the country. In a statement issued overnight, Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office said: “Pursuant to an arrest warrant obtained by a prosecutor from the Bogota Regional Office and following the issuance of the Interpol Red Notice, the Ecuadorian National Police arrested a British citizen at Quito International Airport.”

Prosecutors added: “Evidence obtained by the Technical Investigation Unit (CTI) shows that he entered the flat where the victim was alone, physically assaulted her until she died and manipulated the body into placing it inside a suitcase.

“He then carried out various actions aimed at hiding the incident, changing the scene and fleeing the scene.”

Authorities said Foster-Smith will attempt to be extradited to Colombia, where he is expected to face charges of aggravated femicide and concealment, alteration or destruction of material evidence.

Natalia Villalba’s body was reportedly found by a cleaner in a suitcase under a running shower in the bathroom of an apartment on the seventh floor of the Morph Chico building in Bogota.

Investigators said she first checked into the apartment with a Texas man between June 3 and June 7 and later extended her stay until June 21.

Her mother, Claudia, said she became worried after Natalia stopped answering her calls last Thursday.

Before his arrest, Foster-Smith denied any involvement in the murder, which occurred after he left Colombia for neighboring Ecuador.

To talk SunHe claimed: “It wasn’t me. I was watching England.”

He later said he spent time in a shopping center and watched England’s match against Croatia on a big screen in an Irish pub before returning home alone.

“I didn’t leave with anyone and went to bed by myself around 23:00 local time,” he said.

Foster-Smith also claimed that he decided to leave Colombia and planned to return to England after receiving death threats from local gangsters.

According to Colombian authorities, he crossed into Ecuador via the Rumichaca International Bridge before being tracked to Quito International Airport.

Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán confirmed the arrest on social media, praising the joint operation involving Colombian prosecutors, immigration authorities, Ecuadorian police, Interpol and Dorset Police.

He wrote: “Man believed responsible for Natalia Villalba’s murder captured in Ecuador.”

“This week, the task force was able to locate Matthew Ashley Foster-Smith, who is believed to be responsible for the murder of Natalia Villalba on June 18.”

The Colombian Attorney General’s Office said that the necessary legal steps have been taken to transfer Foster-Smith to Colombia for trial.

As reported by BBCA Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: “We are supporting a British man who has been detained in Ecuador and is in contact with local authorities.”