The murder of Valentina Trespalacios, a 21-year-old DJ from Bogotá, Colombia, shocked the world and quickly became an international true crime case. In January 2023, her body was discovered inside a suitcase in a dumpster outside an apartment building in Bogotá, sending shockwaves through Colombia’s music community and beyond.

Authorities soon focused on John Poulos, a 35-year-old American from Wisconsin, who had recently traveled to Colombia and began a relationship with Trespalacios after meeting through a dating app. What appeared online to be a romantic relationship quickly turned into a horrifying tragedy.

An autopsy later revealed that Valentina had been beaten and strangled, and investigators alleged that Poulos attempted to flee the country shortly after the crime. He was arrested at an airport while attempting to leave the region and was later extradited to Colombia to face charges including aggravated femicide and concealment of evidence.

The case quickly gained international attention, with prosecutors seeking a sentence of more than 35 years in prison. As the trial unfolds, the world continues to follow the legal battle and the pursuit of justice for Valentina Trespalacios.

In this video, we examine the timeline of Valentina Trespalacios’ murder, the investigation into John Poulos, the evidence presented by prosecutors, and the global reaction to this tragic case.

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