Carla stefaniak murder11/15/2023 ![]() ![]() Her last post, tagged from Quepos, Costa Rica, on Nov. She loved to travel, enthusiastically documenting trips to Cuba, Mexico, Iceland and Switzerland on Instagram. He confirmed that it was his daughter.Ī native of Venezuela who immigrated to the United States in 2000, Stefaniak spent 12 years living in Tampa before moving to the Miami area, where she worked at an insurance agency, according to the Miami Herald. Late Tuesday night, Stefaniak's father was allowed to enter the morgue and view the body, the announcement posted to the "Finding Carla" Facebook page said. The man, Bismarck Espinosa Martinez, 32, had been staying in the apartment next door to hers. Walter Espinoza, director of Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department, told reporters that police had also found stains resembling blood inside Stefaniak's rental, and had arrested a security guard at the property who had given contradictory statements about her disappearance. The slain woman, whose body had been partially covered with plastic bags, appeared to have died of a blunt force wound to the head. It was the last time that her family would hear from her.Ĭosta Rican authorities announced on Tuesday that police dogs had discovered a body buried 200 feet toward the back of the property where Stefaniak had been staying, in a hilly and wooded suburb of San Jose. "It's pretty sketchy here," Stefaniak had written, saying that it was raining heavily and the power had gone out. that night, Burton got a text message from her sister-in-law, she said. 27, then returned their rental car and taken an Uber to a gated villa that she had found on Airbnb. But Burton had needed to leave a day early, and Stefaniak had spent her last night in Costa Rica alone.īurton told CBS News that Stefaniak had dropped her off at the airport on Nov. She and her sister in-law, April Burton, had spent five days surfing, riding motorcycles, soaking in hot springs and buying fresh fruit at roadside stands. The trip to Costa Rica was intended to be a weeklong celebration of Stefaniak's birthday. "Words cannot express the devastation within her family and friends," said the announcement on "Finding Carla," a Facebook page where relatives have shared updates since her disappearance. Early Wednesday morning, she was confirmed dead. 28, the day that Stefaniak was supposed to fly back to the United States, she never showed up at the airport. It could be an advertisement for a relaxing tropical vacation - except that on Nov. Sitting on an open balcony surrounded by a lush rain forest, she holds up a mug of coffee. ![]() Stay with ABC Action News for updates.One of the last photographs taken of Carla Stefaniak in Costa Rica shows the 36-year-old Florida woman wearing a white spa robe and dark sunglasses, her hair loose and slightly wavy. "We should take life as a precious thing and we should value our family, our friends and that's how I think that Carla will want to be remembered," said Caicedo. But Espinoza Martinez has been the only one charged. The family continues to insist more people are involved in Stefaniak's death. Rivera says forensic evidence and witness testimony will be key in proving Espinoza Martinez did it. ![]() We're asking the three judges to give him the maximum sentence." We have solid evidence that Bismarck committed the homicide. "This case is complex," said family attorney Joseph Rivera. Fourteen witnesses will testify including, Stefaniak's father. "All these emotions but at the same time I believe in God and I think that he will pay for what he did," said Caicedo. ![]() Now, he could face up to 66 years in prison if he's convicted in the sexually-motivated stabbing. The former security guard was hired to ensure the safety for guests like Stefaniak at the Costa Rica Airbnb. Tampa family desperate for answers after woman goes missing during trip to Costa Rica.Carla Stefaniak: Body found on property in Costa Rica where missing Florida woman was staying.Attorney for family of murdered tourist Carla Stefaniak says new evidence points to more suspects."However, we think we will never be over this because the emptiness in our hearts is going to be present for the rest of our lives," he said. "My sister was brutally killed," said Mario Caicedo.Ĭaicedo believes this trial could be the start of some closure for his family. December marked a year since the slaying of Carla Stefaniak. ABC Action News was the first to tell you about the disappearance of Carla Stefaniak in Costa Rica back in 2018.īismark Espinoza Martinez faces a panel of three judges on day one of his trial. COSTA RICA - The international trial begins for the former apartment security guard accused of killing a tourist with ties to the Tampa Bay Area. ![]()
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