BBC Information
Royal Society of BiologyTributes have been paid to a London-based scientist who previously labored for the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) after he was discovered murdered in northern Colombia.
Alessandro Coatti’s stays had been found on the outskirts of Santa Marta, a port metropolis on the Caribbean coast, on Sunday, investigators say.
Santa Marta’s Mayor, Carlos Pinedo Cuello, stated a reward of fifty,000 Colombian pesos (£8,940) was being supplied for data resulting in the seize of these liable for the demise of the Italian citizen.
In an announcement issued on Tuesday. the RSB stated it was “devastated” by information of Mr Coatti’s killing.
“He was a passionate and devoted scientist, main RSB animal science work, writing quite a few submissions, organising occasions and giving proof within the Home of Commons,” the RSB stated.
“Ale was humorous, heat, clever, liked by everybody he labored with and can be deeply missed by all who knew and labored with him.
“Our ideas and greatest needs exit to his family and friends at this really terrible time.”
Santa Marta is a gateway to a few of Colombia’s hottest vacationer locations together with Tayrona Nationwide Park, Minca and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains.
Mr Coatti, who took a grasp’s course at College School London (UCL), labored for the RSB for eight years as science coverage officer earlier than being promoted to senior science coverage officer.
He left the RSB on the finish of 2024 to volunteer in Ecuador and journey in South America.
Elements of the scientist’s dismembered physique had been present in a suitcase dumped in a stream.
Posting on X, Mr Pinedo Cuello stated: “This crime won’t go unpunished. The criminals should know that crime has no place in Santa Marta. We are going to pursue them till they’re dropped at justice.”
A lodge employee who spoke to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo stated Mr Coatti had inquired about visiting the village of Minca and was conducting analysis on native animal species.
