A man who strangled and buried his partner while on holiday in Peru has been found guilty of her murder.
Jorge Minaya-Garay killed Karla Godoy, 37, then wrapped her body in a tarpaulin and dumped her in a makeshift grave on land owned by his family in Lima, Kent police said.
A jury at Maidstone crown court found Minaya-Garay, 46, guilty of murder on Monday.
“Karla Godoy’s life was violently cut short by a man she trusted during what was supposed to be a holiday for the couple,” said the senior investigating officer, DI Lee Neiles. “Garay’s actions not only ended her life, but he tried to cover up his crimes by callously disposing of her body and hiding it in a makeshift grave.
“Karla leaves behind a young daughter who now faces growing up without her mum and leaves a family without their daughter, sister and aunt.”
The couple left the UK on 15 September 2022 and travelled to Peru via Spain.
Godoy’s family, who live in Honduras and Spain, last heard from her on 23 September, when she told them she planned to travel back to Spain the following day. She did not arrive.
After efforts to contact her failed, Godoy’s relatives contacted the police in Spain and Peru.
Kent police said Minaya-Garay returned to the UK alone on 4 October. He told his landlord that Godoy had stayed in Spain while he went to Peru and claimed he had been robbed of his money and ID while away. He then emptied the flat that the couple had rented in Dartford and left the area.
On 12 October, Minaya-Garay confessed to her murder during a telephone conversation. He claimed that they had argued and that he had acted in self-defence, Kent police said.
Godoy’s body was found by Peruvian authorities on the same day. She had been strangled and was identified through fingerprint records.
Minaya-Garay was arrested in London on 14 October and charged with murder two days later.
The Crown Prosecution Service said that when a murder is committed abroad, the defendant would usually be extradited, but because Minaya-Garay made the confession in the UK, he was arrested there.
Neiles said: “Despite Garay’s initial confession to Karla’s family, he pleaded not guilty and instead chose to put her family through the ordeal of a trial, where details were heard that no family should have to listen to.
“This was a complex case which involved working with international police forces, agencies and prosecuting authorities. I’m pleased we have been able to secure this conviction and I hope it offers some justice for Karla and her family.”
Libby Clark of the CPS said: “Minaya-Garay claimed that he killed Karla in self-defence during an argument, after she came at him with a knife, but the evidence from those who witnessed his behaviour towards her suggested he was a bullying, controlling and jealous man. The jury saw through those lies.”
Minaya-Garay is due to be sentenced at Maidstone crown court on 28 July.
