British man found dead in Colombian apartment on Sunday

A 27-year-old British man, identified as Austen Arango Smith, was discovered deceased in a fourth-floor apartment in Villamaria, Colombia, on Sunday morning. Emergency responders found him already dead, and his body was subsequently transported to a forensic medicine institute in Manizales for an autopsy, the results of which have not yet been released. Local reports have not provided information regarding the potential causes of death, leaving many questions unanswered. Villamaria, located in Colombia's Coffee Triangle, is a popular tourist destination, but it remains unclear whether Smith was residing there or visiting as a tourist. The town has a population of approximately 65,000 and is situated about 190 miles west of Bogotá, with a travel time of nearly eight hours. This incident has raised concerns, as it follows a series of violent and accidental deaths of tourists in Colombia, particularly in cities like Cali, Cartagena, and Medellin. In the first five months of the year, reports indicated that 33 such deaths had occurred, with twelve classified as homicides. The recent death of Chilean actor Alex Araya in Medellin, who was found under suspicious circumstances, adds to the growing list of foreign fatalities in the country. Another British tourist was also found dead in Medellin earlier this year, highlighting the potential dangers faced by visitors. At this stage, there is no indication that Smith's death is being treated as a crime, but the lack of information surrounding the circumstances raises concerns about safety for foreigners in Colombia. Authorities are expected to provide further details as the investigation progresses.