Ibagué: Man known for rescuing abandoned children found dead

Jhon Elber Caviedes Cuéllar, a man known for a widely publicized story of personal transformation, was found dead in central Ibagué on the night of Friday, August 29, 2026. Authorities are currently investigating the death as a suspected homicide.

Caviedes gained regional recognition in 2020 when, while living on the streets, he rescued two young children, aged two and four, who had been abandoned near the Manuel Murillo Toro stadium. Following this act, he underwent a detoxification and social reintegration process through the Emanuel Foundation and eventually joined the National Army.

Technical inspection of the body was conducted by the CTI of the Fiscalía, and official cause of death is expected to be determined by Medicina Legal.