José Leonardo Quevedo Turizo: The Prosecutor’s Office charged more crimes to the alleged serial murderer, of Venezuelan nationality, which attacked the LGBTIQ+ community in Bogotá

He used appointment apps to attract his victims, whom he later murdered and stripped his belongings. Although he did not accept charges, forensic tests and security recordings were key to linking it.

New evidences obtained by the Attorney General’s Office indicate that José Leonardo Quevedo Turizo would be responsible for the murder of people who were part of the LGBTIQ+community, which occurred on May 6, 2023 in the town of Teusaquillo, in the center of Bogotá.

By Santiago Cifuentes Quintero / Infobae

The aggressor, of Venezuelan nationality, would have contacted the victim and convinced her to go to her place of residence. In the property, allegedly, he covered his mouth and nose until he suffocated it. Then he took a cell phone, a laptop, a speaker and other elements of value before escaping from the place.

For these facts, a prosecutor of the Territorial Support Directorate charged him with the crimes of homicide and qualified theft, both aggravated behaviors. The charges were not accepted.

On May 16, 2023, the authorities captured Quevedo Turizo, a Colombian-Venezuelan citizen initially accused of homicide. However, The investigations revealed a pattern of crimes that emerge as an alleged serial killer, with at least five victims belonging to the LGBTIQ+community, whom he contacted through appointment applications and then kill them and steal their belongings.

This was the capture of Quevedo Turizo in May 2023 – Credit Mayor’s Office of Bogotá and Colprensa

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Quevedo Turizo used digital platforms to establish contact with his victims, whom he convinced to allow his apartments. Once inside, he subjected them with violence, suffocated them and then subtracted value objects such as cell phones, computers and speakers.

One of the most shocking cases was that of Panamanian doctor José Luis Santamaría, killed on October 27, 2022 in Chapinero. Quevedo attacked him with a sharp weapon, causing mortal wounds in the thorax and neck, and then suffocate him before fleeing with his belongings.

New victims and more evidence

Among the victims are David Stiven Mosquera, a young 26 -year -old actor who participated in the work ‘Toc Oc’ in Bogotá as part of his training in Sena. His mother found him lifeless and without belongings in his home, after noticing strange behaviors in the days before his death. This case generated shock in the artistic community and increased pressure on the authorities to clarify crimes against people LGBTIQ+.

The recruitment of minors in drug trafficking puts their development at risk, exposing them to a life of violence and exploitation. – (Infobae illustrative image)

Another crime, which occurred on March 11, 2023, had as a victim Andrés Gómez León, a 37 -year -old man found lifeless in his home in Chapinero, with strangulation signs. In this case, Quevedo would have stolen the victim’s vehicle to escape.

On May 6, 2023, the Prosecutor’s Office identified another homicide in Teusaquillo with the same modus operandi. Quevedo contacted the victim, suffocated her covering her mouth and nose, and then stole her belongings. The recordings of security cameras and forensic opinions were key to linking it to all these crimes.

Legal situation and search for justice

After his capture, Quevedo Turizo was charged with aggravated homicide and qualified theft, charges he did not accept. However, the authorities continue to collect evidence to strengthen the judicial process and guarantee justice for victims and their families.

The case has caused shock in Bogotá, especially within the LGBTIQ+community, which requires greater protection and forceful actions against hate crimes.

Although some media have compared Quevedo with Jeffrey Dahmer for similarities in the profile of the victims and the brutality of crimes, Colombian authorities prefer to focus on clarifying the facts and avoid revictimizing those affected.

This gloomy episode has highlighted the need to strengthen safety and accompaniment measures to vulnerable populations, while recalling the importance of continuing to fight for a safer and free society.