A scientist who was found dismembered in a suitcase in Colombia has been described as ‘passionate’ and ‘dedicated’ by his former employer.
Alessandro Coatti, who worked for the prestigious Royal Society of Biology (RSB), was found dumped in a stream in Santa Marta.
The 42-year-old’s head, hands and feet were all found inside the suitcase by a group of children, but police are said to still be searching for his torso and other parts of his body.
RSB said in a tribute: ‘The RSB is devastated to announce the death of former colleague Alessandro Coatti who was murdered in Colombia.
‘Alessandro, known as Ale, worked for the Royal Society of Biology for eight years as Science Policy Officer in the Science Policy team before being promoted to Senior Science Policy Officer.
‘He was a passionate and dedicated scientist, leading RSB animal science work, writing numerous submissions, organising events, and giving evidence in the House of Commons. He left the RSB at the end of 2024 to volunteer in Ecuador and travel in South America.
‘Ale was funny, warm, intelligent, loved by everyone he worked with, and will be deeply missed by all who knew and worked with him. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to his friends and family at this truly awful time.’
Santa Marta’s mayor Carlos Pinedo Cuello has offered an £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for Alessandro’s gruesome murder.
He said late yesterday: ‘I have instructed the authorities to join forces to solve the death of the Italian citizen Alessandro Coatti.
‘We are offering a reward of fifty million Colombian pesos for information that will allow us to identify and capture those responsible.
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‘This crime will not go unpunished. Criminals must know that in Santa Marta criminality has no place. We will pursue them until they are brought to justice.’
Alessandro was a trained molecular biologist, and worked as a senior science policy officer.
The Italian-born scientist had been a post-graduate neuroscience researcher at University College London.
In October last year he spoke about his work at the Royal Society of Biology and his career trajectory for an Offspring Magazine podcast.
He was staying at a hostel in Santa Marta’s historic centre, and was last seen on Friday.
Colombian media reported a paramilitary group known locally as the Autodefensas Conquistadores de la Sierra Nevada, operated in the busy port city of Santa Marta.
The organisation suspended peace talks with the Colombian government the day the UK-based scientist was last seen leaving his hotel.
There is no suggestion at this stage the criminal group is linked to Mr Coatti’s disappearance and murder.
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