Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Alessandro Coatti, an Italian biologist who lived in Medellin, Colombia, had been killed. His body was found in the Caribbean port city of Santa Marta, Colombia. Prior to joining ESA, Coatti spent eight years working with the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) in London. In 2024, he departed the RSB and began an adventurous journey across South America. His tragic fate has led to an unprecedented multinational investigation that continues today with the engagement of Italian and Colombian authorities.
Coatti was on her own to travel through Colombia after exploring Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. He is said to have been holed up in a finca in Santa Marta. On April 5, the date he was last spotted, he was visiting the Tayrona region. While only three pieces of his body have been recovered so far, local authorities confirmed his death by announcement, just as they did in Milwaukee.
Investigators have used a bracelet found on Coatti’s body to confirm that the remains are his. This find reveals another important connection in the ongoing investigation. The Colombian prosecutor’s office has stated, “At present there is no further detail about what happened. It is under investigation.”
In response to this tragic event, the Italian foreign ministry is assisting Coatti’s family as they navigate this difficult situation. Italian police have collaborated with Colombian authorities to determine what led to his death. Authorities had initially announced a reward of just 50 million pesos. This reward applies to any information that can bring a major development in the case.
Our colleagues at the Royal Society of Biology joined us in mourning Coatti’s premature death. They went on to paint a delightful portrait of him as funny, warm, and smart. He was adored by everyone who worked with him and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Our hearts and prayers are with his friends and family during this truly terrible time.
Their continuing investigation aims to piece together what conditions or actions led to Coatti’s death. It is designed to find out any further evidence that can shed light on his last days. As his family continues to demand justice, the cooperative efforts of international law enforcement agencies demonstrate the severity of this case.
