The distraught family of a London-based scientist found murdered in northern Colombia told how they instantly knew something terrible had happened as he lived his dream travelling.
Alessandro Coatti’s head, hands and feet had been discovered by children inside a suitcase dumped in a stream - three days after he arrived in the country.
Police in the Caribbean city of Santa Marta are said to still be searching for the 42-year-old’s torso and other body parts.
A hotel worker who spoke to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo said Italian-born Mr Coatti – known as Ale - had inquired about visiting the village of Minca on Sunday and was conducting research on local animal species.
According to local media in Italy, parents Gabriele and Sandra - both retired - were waiting for him at their house in Longastrino, on the border between Ferrara and Ravenna.
Giovanni Coatti, his paternal uncle, told Ansa: “When my brother called me, I was at work but I understood that something had happened, the blood told me.
“He wanted to go and live in South America and he had gone for a trip to see.
“He was supposed to be back next week.”
Professor Tommaso Pizzorusso, based in Pisa, told the Roma newspaper: “I’m in shock, Alessandro was an idealist, a dreamer, I just can’t explain this horror.”
Mr Coatti had worked at the prestigious Royal Society of Biology for eight years but left in 2024 to travel around South America.
Shocked former colleagues at the RSB in Naoroji Street, Clerkenwell, described him as a “passionate and dedicated” expert.
The molecular biologist was a post-graduate neuroscience researcher at University College London.
Santa Marta’s Mayor, Carlos Pinedo Cuello, said a reward of 50,000,000 Colombian pesos (£8,940) was being offered for information leading to the capture of his killers.
The Italian Embassy in Bogota is assisting Mr Coatti’s family with all the steps necessary to identify the body and is collaborating with the authorities over their investigation.
He said late on Monday: “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.
“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.”
Mr Coatti, who was staying at a hotel in Santa Marta’s scenic historic centre, was last seen on Friday and is believed to have been on holiday in the area.
His remains were reportedly discovered on Monday by a group of children.
The spot where he was found is by a road leading to the Sierra Nevada stadium, which was the host ground for football matches at the 2017 Bolivarian Games and is the home stadium of local side Union Magdalena.
Mr Coatti is said to have been identified by a hotel wristband on one of the parts of his body.
He described himself on his social media as a “driven and enthusiastic senior professional with more than seven years’ experience of influencing public policy through science” as well as a “big picture thinker and creative problem solver.”
He added on LinkedIn: “I am a trained biologist (molecular & cellular biologist, with 5+ years of research experience in neuroscience), who has worked in science policy for the past 6+ years.
“I have conducted my most recent work in the UK science policy ecosystem, where I interacted and managed relationships with the different stakeholders: learned societies, scientific academies, industry, regulatory bodies, government departments (incl. senior leadership and ministers) and parliament.
“My remit has focused specifically on ethical research and innovation topics, particularly in the animal and biomedical fields.”
The RSB said it was “devastated” by news of Mr Coatti’s killing, adding: “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.
“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.”
