Popular female DJ found dead in suitcase after being ‘strangled and dumped in skip’ as cops hunt American boyfriend
A Colombian DJ has been found dead inside a suitcase at a dumpster as cops hunt down her suspect boyfriend.
The body of Valentina Trespalacios, 23, was found inside the luggage in Fontibon, Bogota, on January 22.
Police believe she was throttled after an autopsy found deep grooves in her neck, which could have been caused by strangulation.
The prime suspect is Valentina’s boyfriend, 35-year-old American John Poulos, according to local reports.
He has been missing since cops made the shocking discovery and he has also deleted his social media accounts.
He had been dating the popular DJ, who has nearly 16,000 followers on Instagram.
The discovery was made when a man spotted the suitcase in a dumpster.
But when he opened it, he was horrified to find the young woman’s body folded up inside and called police.
During an inspection of the scene, investigators found personal items belonging to the DJ next to her body.
These included a student ID issued by Uninpahu University, where Valentina was reportedly studying trade and global business technology.
Autopsy results showed that she had a “pressure groove in the hyoid region” but no other visible signs of violence.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Camilo Torres told local media: “Work is being carried out with security cameras in the area to identify the alleged perpetrators.”
According to reports, Valentina had gone to a party with Poulos.
The American had allegedly travelled from his home to the Colombian capital to propose to her.
Police are now trying to confirm if he has fled the country.
Grieving uncle Carlos Trespalacios said of his niece: “She was a national and international DJ with a great future, she was hired by the best clubs in Bogota and the country and she also had the opportunity to go to other South American countries.”