Ecuadorian authorities arrested a British man at Quito international airport following the discovery of a woman's body inside a suitcase in Colombia.
The suspect, 46-year-old Matthew Ashley Foster-Smith from Bournemouth, Dorset, is accused by Colombian prosecutors of causing the death of 36-year-old Natalia Villalba.
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The incident allegedly occurred in an apartment in the Chico neighborhood of Bogota on June 18.
According to the official X account of Colombia's attorney general's office, Foster-Smith allegedly beat Villalba to death, hid her body inside a suitcase, and then fled.
Prior to his detention, the suspect reportedly made phone calls to the Sun newspaper, which allowed law enforcement to trace his location.
During a phone call one day before his arrest, Foster-Smith denied involvement, claiming he was watching England versus Croatia at an Irish bar.
He also said he visited a shopping center and bought ice cream after the game, which took place in Dallas, Texas on June 17.
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Local authorities obtained an arrest warrant through Colombian prosecutors and secured an Interpol red notice, leading to the joint international operation to intercept the suspect in Ecuador.
Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan confirmed that Dorset Police from the UK assisted international investigators.
"This painful case will not go unpunished," Galan said.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed its involvement following the arrest in Ecuador.
"We are supporting a British man who has been detained in Ecuador and are in touch with the local authorities," a spokesperson said.
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Dorset Police were approached for comment regarding their specific involvement in the international operation.
