Preventive detention for accused of homicide in Alto Hospicio: victim was burned to death.

A Colombian citizen has been placed in preventive detention after being formally charged with the homicide of a man, whose body was found completely burned on February 23, in the former Aguas del Altiplano sector, in the Alto Hospicio commune, Tarapacá Region. The arrest was made following an investigation led by the Organized Crime and Homicides Team (ECOH) of the Tarapacá Regional Prosecutor's Office, in conjunction with the Homicide Brigade of the Investigative Police (PDI), which allowed for the reconstruction of the crime's dynamics and the identification of the accused, known by the initials C. C.

G. , alias "Ze Pequeño. " According to the evidence presented during the formalization hearing, the crime allegedly occurred in the early hours of February 19, 2026, at an undetermined location, but close to where the body was later found.

The investigation established that the victim died after being attacked with a sharp object, which caused a penetrating chest wound. According to the Prosecutor's Office, the man transported the victim's body inside a wheeled dumpster, accompanied by another unidentified individual, to an area known as "El Bosque," within the perimeter of the vacant lot of the former Aguas del Altiplano, located on Monte Los Olivos street. Once at the site, both individuals allegedly threw the body into a structure resembling a concrete septic tank and then set it on fire using accelerants and tires, resulting in rapid combustion.

Additionally, after leaving the site, they threatened a person present in the area, warning that they would face the same fate if they revealed what they had seen, which proved crucial for the investigation. Prosecutor (s) Daniel Juacida explained that the accused's involvement was corroborated by confidential witnesses and audiovisual recordings. "Through the statements of confidential witnesses, who reported the accused's participation, as well as security cameras showing the dynamics of the event, specifically the transportation," he stated.

During the hearing, the Public Ministry also presented expert reports from the PDI and the Legal Medical Service, along with information on the accused's criminal record, who reportedly had an active expulsion order. With this evidence, the Prosecutor's Office formally charged the detainee with simple homicide as an accomplice and for simple threats. Finally, the Alto Hospicio Guarantee Court accepted the Public Ministry's request and ordered the preventive detention of the accused.

A 60-day investigation period was also set, during which efforts will continue to fully clarify the crime and identify all those involved.