Suspect Arrested For Murder Of Venezuelan In Costa Rica

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Authorities in Costa Rica believe that the body they found on Monday is that of Carla Stefaniak, the Venezuelan tourist who traveled from Florida to spend her birthday in that country. However, they are still waiting to confirm with their fingerprints and dental and DNA records that it is the missing 36-year-old girl.

An autopsy revealed that Stefaniak died of severe blows to the head. She was also stabbed in the neck, ABC Action News reported. The director general of the Costa Rican Judicial Investigation Agency, Walter Espinoza, told WSVN News 7 that a security guard working in the Airbnb area where Stefaniak stayed has been detained as a suspect in the crime.

According to the officer, Bismarck Espinosa Martínez was detained after finding contradictions in his statement to the police about the Venezuelan's whereabouts. The official added that Martinez, a native of Nicaragua, had been living in Costa Rica for years as an illegal.

Stefaniak's body was found near the Airbnb he rented in San José and according to the officer, his body was wrapped in plastic and had been buried. Espinoza added that the body was already in a state of decomposition. They are reportedly analyzing traces of blood found inside the property.

The young woman traveled to Costa Rica to celebrate her birthday with her sister-in-law April Burton, who returned to Florida before her. Her family reported her disappearance when she saw that she did not arrive on the flight they were expecting.