María Camila Potosí murder case escalates in Cali
María Camila Potosí Gómez, a 21‑year‑old woman who was eight months pregnant, vanished on 16 July 2023 after leaving her home in Cali for a prenatal medical appointment. Security cameras captured her boarding a motorcycle driven by an unidentified woman, who is now considered the principal suspect.
Four days later her body was discovered near the corregimiento of La Buitrera, south of Cali, with multiple stab wounds inflicted by a bladed weapon and her unborn baby missing. Police officials, including Brigadier General Herbert Benavidez, the commander of the Cali Metropolitan Police, said evidence suggests that more than four individuals were involved in the homicide. The woman suspect has been identified, but no arrests have been made; investigators continue to collect technical evidence, testimonies and video recordings.
The case has provoked widespread public outrage across Colombia, with the victim’s mother, Ana Rubi Gómez, pleading for the return of her missing infant.
Entities: Ana Rubi Gómez · Cali · Cali Metropolitan Police · Cali Police · Herbert Benavidez · La Buitrera · María Camila Potosí Gómez · River Meléndez · Unidentified female suspect · unidentified woman driver
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Police have identified a woman as the primary suspect in the case. (Both)
- [● 4 SOURCES] No arrests have been made yet. (eb00c23c-0015-4704-8746-b8c540b2c532)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Her body was found four days later near the corregimiento of La Buitrera, south of Cali. (Policía Metropolitana de Cali)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Police continue to collect technical evidence, testimonies and video recordings. (Both)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Forensic reports indicated multiple stab wounds caused by a bladed weapon. (Forensic examination, Cali Police)
- [● 5 SOURCES] María Camila Potosí Gómez, 21, disappeared on 16 July 2023 in Cali while eight months pregnant. (Policía Metropolitana de Cali)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Police say more than four people likely participated in the homicide. (Brigadier General Herbert Benavidez, Cali Police)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The victim was last seen boarding a motorcycle driven by an unidentified woman. (Surveillance footage, Cali Police)
- [● 4 SOURCES] A woman has been identified as the principal suspect in the case. (Brigadier General Herbert Benavidez, Cali Police)
- [● 6 SOURCES] The unborn baby was missing from the victim's body. (Medical examiner, Cali Police)