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

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.”

Foster-Smith was previously jailed for two years and two months for stalking offences committed in 2023.

He faced indefinite restrictions when he was released from prison after Dorset Police secured greater powers in a bid to protect his victim.

As part of the stalking prevention order, issued in January by Poole Magistrates’ Court, Foster-Smith was required to keep in regular contact with police, notifying them of his address and vehicle details and was prohibited from contacting his victims.

He also had restrictions placed on his use of electronic communication devices.

Dorset Police has been approached for comment.