María José Estupiñán Sánchez, from Colombia, was fatally shot by a man who pretended to be delivering parcels – police suspect that her death could be linked to her abusive ex-partner
A young model was shot dead by a man disguised as a delivery driver shortly after she was set to be awarded a large sum of money.
María José Estupiñán Sánchez, 22, from Colombia, was gunned down outside her home last Thursday. Her attacker pretended to deliver parcels on the street so he could get close enough to her.
According to local media, the bullet struck her in the right cheekbone. The model, who had just arrived home from the gym, was killed in north-eastern Colombia, on the Venezuelan border.
Investigators suspect that her ex-boyfriend could be behind her death. It comes after she attended a hearing at the prosecutor’s office earlier this month. During the meeting, she testified against her former partner in response to domestic violence.
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Sources close to the case say she was about to be handed a huge payout from her ex – which would have been around 30m COP (£5,400). Cops believe that the killing was almost certainly premeditated.
According to local media, María José first reported her then-boyfriend for abuse in 2018. She reported him several times over the course of their relationship.
María José was studying media studies and was in her seventh term at the Francisco de Paula Santander University. She dreamed of becoming a TV presenter and was in the process of arranging an internship.
In addition to her studies, María José worked as a model with a local agency. She also managed an online business selling sportswear, lingerie, and footwear.
A spokesperson for her university said: “From the university community, we reject all forms of violence that extinguish the dreams of our young people. We stand in solidarity with the families, friends, and classmates to whom we extend our deepest condolences.”
The investigation is ongoing.