British man held after woman’s body found in suitcase in Colombia

A British man has been arrested in Ecuador after a woman’s body was found inside a suitcase in Colombia.

Matthew Ashley Foster-Smith, 46, of Bournemouth, Dorset, is alleged to have caused the death of Natalia Villalba, 36, at a Bogota flat on June 18, local authorities said.

Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office said Foster-Smith is suspected of beating Villalba to death, then putting his body in a suitcase, trying to hide what happened and fleeing the scene.

An arrest warrant was issued by prosecutors in Colombia and a Red Notice was issued from Interpol, authorities said.

Foster-Smith was held at Quito International Airport in Ecuador.

Bogota mayor Carlos Fernando Galan said Dorset Police were assisting in the operation to find him.

A 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.”

Dorset Police have been approached for comment.