Police hunt British man as body of Colombian model found stuffed into suitcase

The remains of Natalia Villalba Angarita, 36, were found by cleaning staff concealed inside a grey suitcase in the bathroom of a Bogotá apartment with the shower still running

Police are hunting for a British man in connection with the suspected murder of a Colombian model whose body was found stuffed inside a suitcase.

The body of Natalia Villalba Angarita, 36, was found inside a suitcase in the bathroom of a rented apartment in the Colombian capital Bogotá.

The grim discovery was made by cleaning staff who entered the seventh-floor apartment after the rental period ended yesterday. They found the victim’s remains concealed inside a grey suitcase in the bathroom where the shower was still running.

Natalia was a model from Cúcuta, in northern Colombia. Among personal belongings recovered from the scene were two of her passports, one which had expired and one with valid stamps showing recent travel to Spain.

Cops are treating the incident as a possible wilful homicide and violent death. Forensic experts have sent clues including fingerprint and trace evidence for analysis. A post mortem is being carried out to establish the precise cause and time of death.

The apartment was rented from June 3 and the lease was extended until June 21. During the early part of Natalia’s stay at the flat a US citizen from Texas was present.

A British national entered the property on June 17 and left the following day. He was captured in CCTV footage carrying bed linen to a laundry area.

The clip, along with other security footage and building entry logs, are being studied by investigators who are piecing together the movements of the two foreign men as part of the ongoing investigation.

The American and British nationals remain at large and are being actively sought by cops. No arrests have yet been made. The investigation continues.

The Mirror has approached the Colombian National Police and the Foreign Office for comment.