Four individuals have been arrested following the discovery of the dismembered body of Alessandro Coatti, a London-based scientist, in Santa Marta, Colombia.
Coatti, 42, who worked for the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), was found in April by local children. His head, hands, and feet were discovered inside a suitcase, with the rest of his body recovered more than two weeks later.
Colombian and Italian authorities confirmed the arrests of Oswal Moisés Ospino Navarro, Isaac Enrique Márquez Charris, Andrea Camila Berdugo Escorcia, and Brian Augusto Cantillo Salcedo. All face suspicion of aggravated homicide.
The Italian-born Coatti was a post-graduate neuroscience researcher at University College London and a senior science policy officer at RSB. A post-mortem revealed blunt-force trauma as the cause of death.
His mother, Sandra Lovato, shared a poignant last message from her son sent just days before his disappearance: “Hi Mum, I want to come back. I love you so much.” She has publicly expressed her grief and longing for her son.
Coatti was known for his dedication and warmth, having contributed significantly to the RSB for eight years before leaving in late 2024 to volunteer in Ecuador and travel across South America.
The RSB paid tribute, describing him as passionate and deeply missed by colleagues and friends alike. This tragic case has shocked the local community and raised questions about the safety of foreign visitors in the region.
