British man held in Ecuador after woman's body found in suitcase

Image source, Dorset Police Image caption, Matthew Ashley Foster-Smith was arrested at Quito International Airport in Ecuador By Stuart Rust South of England Published 18 minutes ago A British man has been arrested in Ecuador after the body of a woman was found inside a suitcase in Colombia. Matthew Ashley Foster-Smith, 46, from Bournemouth, Dorset, is alleged to have caused the death of 36-year-old Natalia Villalba in an apartment in Bogota on 18 June, local authorities said. The Attorney General's Office in Colombia said Foster-Smith was suspected of beating Villalba to death before placing her body in a suitcase, attempting to conceal what happened, and fleeing the scene. An arrest warrant was obtained by prosecutors in Colombia and an Interpol Red Notice was issued, authorities said. Foster-Smith was held at Quito International Airport in Ecuador. Bogota's mayor, Carlos Fernando Galan, said Dorset Police had assisted with the operation to locate him. A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting a British man who has been detained in Ecuador and are in touch with the local authorities." Dorset Police has been approached for comment. More stories from Dorset Watch the latest episode of South Today Listen to the latest news from Dorset Get in touch Your Voice Contact form Contact form Related topics Dorset Colombia Ecuador Interpol Dorset Police Bogota Related Links Dorset Police Interpol