A custody shot of Matthew Ashley Foster-Smith. He has short hair and a beard and is wearing a grey jumper.

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

June 28, 2026 adminsr

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

Matthew Ashley Foster-Smith, 46, from Bournemouth, Dorset, is alleged to have caused the death of 36-year-old Natalia Villalba in an apartment in Bogota on 18 June, local authorities said.

The Attorney General’s Office in Colombia said Foster-Smith was suspected of beating Villalba to death before placing her body in a suitcase, attempting to conceal what happened, and fleeing the scene.

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

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

Bogota’s mayor, Carlos Fernando Galan, said Dorset Police had assisted with the operation to locate him.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting a British man who has been detained in Ecuador and are in touch with the local authorities.”

Dorset Police has been approached for comment.