María Camila Potosí, a 21-year-old pregnant woman, was found dead near the River Meléndez in Cali, Colombia, with her unborn child missing from her womb. She was eight months pregnant and had been reported missing on July 16 after last being seen riding pillion on a motorbike in the Polvorines district.
Body discovered after days of searching
Following intensive searches by relatives and police, her body was located along the banks of the River Meléndez. She had been fatally stabbed, and the infant had been forcibly removed. Local radio station La FM reported that the baby, to be named Alahia, was due in August. A baby shower had been held just days before her death.
Cali Police deputy head of criminal investigations Maj Alirio Acuna confirmed the discovery: "The body of a pregnant woman was found at kilometre 3 on the La Buitrera road, specifically on the banks of the River Meléndez. Preliminary findings suggest that the physical characteristics and clothing match those of the 21-year-old woman who had been reported missing since last Thursday, July 16."
Last moments captured on CCTV
María was seen on CCTV getting onto a motorbike with an unidentified woman after finishing a routine appointment at the Los Polvorines health centre. Diana Carolina, manager of the Ladera Health Network, stated: "It was a routine consultation, in line with clinical practice guidelines. She arrived at our healthcare centre at around 9am. She entered the consultation room alone and underwent the necessary check-up."
María's mother, Ana Rubi Gomez, issued a desperate appeal for the baby's safe return. She told La FM: "The first thing I asked was whether the baby was still in her womb, and they told me no, that the baby wasn't there. That filled me with hope that the baby might still be alive. So I'm asking the public and the community to help me find my little girl."
Family details and suspect's ex-partner speaks
The family said María was at her boyfriend's house when she received a call from a woman she had met at a Cali centre for expectant mothers. She told them she was going to collect baby gifts. On July 24, Carlos Rincón posted a video identifying himself as the ex-partner of the female suspect and said she failed to return home on the night of the disappearance. He said: "I was excited about (her) pregnancy. And many people think I had something to do with it ... We had nothing to do with it. We knew nothing. My family was another victim. We trusted her, we believed in her."
Authorities call for urgent investigation
The Cali Ombudsman's Office called for an immediate investigation and urged locating the missing baby. Authorities said autopsy results confirming the infant's removal "makes it even more urgent to clarify the facts and locate the newborn baby." They added: "As the Public Prosecutor's Office, we call on the Attorney General's Office and the relevant authorities to carry out all investigative measures as swiftly as possible ... We also urge members of the public to provide any information through official channels that may assist the investigation. Every minute counts."
