Cover-up in Colombia?: A Look at the Tragic and Bizarre Death of Luis Andrés Colmenares
The tragic and strange circumstances surrounding the 2010 death of 20-year-old Luis Andrés Colmenares became a national story in Colombia. To this day, many feel that justice was not served
Background
In the early morning hours of October 31, 2010, a 20-year-old university student died in a bizarre and tragic incident near a popular nightspot in Bogotá, Colombia. Initially ruled an accidental death, the drowning of Luis Andrés Colmenares would later be reinvestigated, and shockingly, several of his friends would be charged in connection with his death.
The case would become highly contentious, with attorneys on both sides making inflammatory accusations, including bribery and corruption. The polarizing case garnered national attention, and to this day, there are strong opinions on both sides.
Luis Andrés Colmenares
Luis Andrés Colmenares Escobar was born on May 23, 1990, in Villanueva, a town located in the department of La Guajira, Colombia. He was the son of Oneida Escobar and Luis Alonso Colmenares. Growing up, Luis Andrés showed a natural curiosity and a drive to learn.
Because Luis and his brother Jorge came from an affluent family, Luis was able to pursue higher education. He excelled at math and science and was accepted into one of Colombia’s most prestigious universities, the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá.
There, he studied Economics and Industrial Engineering, two fields that required a lot of study. His professors and fellow students recognized his discipline and determination, but they also noted that he was someone with whom you could joke around and tell stories outside of class.
He was a strong student, but also had a social and easygoing side that made him popular among his peers. Those who knew Luis Andrés often describe him as friendly, charismatic, and sociable.
Halloween 2010
On the night of October 30, 2010, Luis Andrés and a group of friends went out to celebrate Halloween in Bogotá’s nightlife district, the Zona T (also called Zona Rosa). They ended up at a club called Penthouse, where university students and young professionals gathered for a costume party that night.
Luis was accompanied by Laura Moreno, his date that night, their friend Jessy Quintero, and several classmates. Luis was wearing a red devil costume that evening and seemed to be enjoying himself with the group.
According to Moreno and Quintero, they left the party shortly after 3:00 a.m. to get some food. They claim that Luis was very intoxicated and that he was acting anxious and erratic.
The three of them stopped at a hot-dog stand. Both Laura and Jessy later told investigators that, after buying a hot dog, Luis suddenly ran “like crazy” off toward El Virrey Park, which is roughly a ten-minute walk from the hot-dog stand.
Quintero says she stayed at the stand, and Moreno chased after him. Laura later told police that she tried to stop Luis, but he jumped into a shallow water channel (a culvert) in Parque El Virrey and disappeared from view.
After being picked up by their other friends, Quintero tried to call Luis’s cell phone, and when Laura answered, she frantically explained that Luis had jumped into the culvert and that she could no longer see him.
After that, the pair returned to the park and continued searching for him. Unable to locate him, the group went to a nearby police station and reported the incident to the authorities. They also contacted Luis’s family.
Discovery of Luis’s Body and Initial Findings
Early that morning, Luis’s mother rushed to Bogotá. Police and firefighters were dispatched to search the vicinity of the drainage tunnels and canal. They examined all areas where water flowed, including river banks and water canals. Search dogs, ropes, and torches were used by the rescuers.