Royal Society Of Biology Mourns Murdered Scientist

Tributes person been paid to a London-based intelligence who formerly worked for nan Royal Society of Biology (RSB) aft he was recovered murdered successful bluish Colombia.

Alessandro Coatti's remains were discovered connected nan outskirts of Santa Marta, a larboard metropolis connected nan Caribbean coast, connected Sunday, investigators say.

Santa Marta's Mayor, Carlos Pinedo Cuello, said a reward of 50,000,000 Colombian pesos (£8,940) was being offered for accusation starring to nan seizure of those responsible for nan decease of nan Italian citizen.

In a connection issued connected Tuesday, nan RSB said it was "devastated" by news of Mr Coatti's killing.

"He was a passionate and dedicated scientist, starring RSB animal subject work, penning galore submissions, organising events and giving grounds successful nan House of Commons," nan RSB said.

"Ale was funny, warm, intelligent, loved by everyone he worked pinch and will beryllium profoundly missed by each who knew and worked pinch him.

"Our thoughts and champion wishes spell retired to his friends and family astatine this genuinely atrocious time."

Santa Marta is simply a gateway to immoderate of Colombia's astir celebrated tourer destinations including Tayrona National Park, Minca and nan Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains.

Mr Coatti, who took a master's people astatine University College London (UCL), worked for nan RSB for 8 years arsenic subject argumentation serviceman earlier being promoted to elder subject argumentation officer.

He near nan RSB astatine nan extremity of 2024 to unpaid successful Ecuador and recreation successful South America.

Parts of nan scientist's dismembered assemblage were recovered successful a suitcase dumped successful a stream.

Posting connected X, Mr Pinedo Cuello said: "This crime will not spell unpunished. The criminals must cognize that crime has nary spot successful Santa Marta. We will prosecute them until they are brought to justice."

A edifice worker who said to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo said Mr Coatti had inquired astir visiting nan colony of Minca and was conducting investigation connected section animal species.