In brief
The Royal Society of Biology (RSB) is mourning the loss of esteemed scientist Alessandro Coatti, found murdered in northern Colombia. His remains were discovered near Santa Marta, igniting outrage and tributes from colleagues who remember him for his dedication and warmth.
Coatti, who worked as a science policy officer at RSB, had recently left to travel and volunteer after eight years of service. Local authorities are offering a substantial reward for information on his killers as investigations continue. Mayor Carlos Pinedo Cuello has vowed to pursue justice for this heinous crime, as Coatti's legacy lives on through his passionate contributions to biological science.Alessandro Coatti, a former scientist with the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), has been tragically murdered in Colombia, where his remains were discovered on the outskirts of Santa Marta on Sunday. In response to this shocking incident, the Mayor of Santa Marta, Carlos Pinedo Cuello, announced a reward of 50 million Colombian pesos (approximately £8,940) for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators.The RSB released a heartfelt statement expressing their devastation over Coatti’s death, highlighting his contributions to animal science and his commitment to his work. "Ale was funny, warm, intelligent, loved by everyone he worked with and will be deeply missed by all who knew and worked with him," the statement read, extending condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.Coatti had a notable career with the Royal Society of Biology, where he was promoted to senior science policy officer after starting as a science policy officer. He completed his master’s degree at University College London before leaving the organization at the end of 2024 to volunteer and travel in South America. Tragically, parts of Coatti’s dismembered body were found in a suitcase in a stream, raising concerns over safety in the region. In a post on X, Mayor Cuello emphasized that “this crime will not go unpunished” and reassured the public that law enforcement would relentlessly pursue the criminals responsible. Eyewitnesses reported that Coatti had been exploring local wildlife research and had shown interest in visiting the village of Minca before his untimely death.
