Double murder in Cali: five arrested for killing of María Camila Potosí and her baby
Authorities in Cali arrested five suspects for the murder of María Camila Potosí and her baby Alahía. The police commander described the plan as "absolutely macabre".
Five detained for murder of mother and daughter in Cali
According to laopinion.com.co, the five arrested as alleged perpetrators of the murder of María Camila Potosí and her baby Alahía will be brought before an arraignment hearing in the coming hours, as further details continue to emerge in a case that has shocked Cali and the entire country.
The commander of the Cali Police, General Herbert Benavides, indicated in statements to Blu Radio that the attackers' initial intention possibly did not include killing the baby. "We believe there was no initial intention for the baby to lose her life; we believe that obviously this got out of hand, but the violence they inflicted on Camila was terrible, more than 20 wounds from a sharp instrument, especially on her neck, chest and head. Seeing the autopsy causes one an impressive terror," Benavides stated.
According to the investigation, the original plan would have been to murder María Camila and extract the baby alive, so that the woman who organised the crime could pass her off as her own daughter to her romantic partner. "It is an absolutely macabre and horrific plan," the general stated.
Residence identified as crime scene
The Police were able to locate the place where the homicide would have been committed, which led to the identification of the alleged perpetrators. "We located the residence. A forensic examination was carried out there where it was determined that there is indeed a high probability that this criminal act was carried out there," Benavides revealed.
Baby's remains confirmed by Legal Medicine
The National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences confirmed on Friday that the biological remains found in a wooded area of Cali correspond to Alahía, the eight-month gestation baby that María Camila was expecting. The remains were found near the location where the young woman's body had previously been found, thanks to analysis of security camera footage and testimonies gathered by the authorities.
The District Ombudsman's Office of Cali confirmed the information and expressed its solidarity with the victim's family.
Judicial key question: was Alahía born alive?
A determining element for the criminal proceeding will be establishing whether Alahía was born alive. If that condition is confirmed, the five implicated parties could face charges for double homicide, which would significantly aggravate their legal situation.
Source: Google News CO — Crime