By Ivy L. Alarcón 
The 22-year-old, Valentina Cepeda Rodríguez was found dead inside her apartment at Villa Campestre, in Puerto Colombia. According to the police report from the Metropolitan Police of Barranquilla the events happened the morning of April 8th at the yoga instructor’s residence. Allegedly she had a sheet around her neck and noticeable bruises that appeared to be from asphyxiation. She was found by Felipe Rivera Ramírez, her romantic partner who called the police after supposably finding her after attempting suicide. She was immediately taken to the hospital but was declared deceased not long after.
While talking to the police the boyfriend stated that Valentina had shown signs of depression the previous days. And that the day before, she had woken up and expressed to him her intention of killing herself as well as wanting to take a clonazepam pill. He also claims that he found her kneeling with a sheet around her neck (which she usually used to teach during classes), in a room where she kept her yoga equipment. The man says he mistakenly thought she was playing a joke on him and took a photograph of her. However, when he realized she was not breathing he began to perform CPR and then called the cops.
However, The Metropolitan Police of Barranquilla and the Prosecutor’s office are not sure this was a suicide. Because of this suspicion they are thoroughly investigating the case. They were informed that the couple had a heated discussion during the previous week, which even lead to physical harm. In addition, Valentina´s family members and friends are sure she was murdered. This belief is so strong that some people went to the clinic where she was treated and held up a sign that reads “VALENTINA CCEPEDA DID NOT KILL HERSELF. HE MURDERED HER. FELIPE RIVERA: KILLER”.
“We believe she didn´t commit suicide but that he (her boyfriend, Felipe Rivera) murdered her. Because he had already hit her before, he was abusing her physically and emotionally. In fact, we know that he hit her last Saturday. He hit Valentina and we have proof of him apologizing to her and admitting in detail the things he did to her that day. He even says he slaped her”. Yolimar Maquilon Palacio, a close family friend said in an interview with El Heraldo.
A lot of people who knew Valentina agree with the statement. Furthermore, they have revealed that she was planning to leave the apartment they shared and that lead to the fight the 6th of April. All of this was told by Valentina herself to friends and family through WhatsApp texts. Felipe Rivera was aware that she told others about the abusive relationship because he constantly checked her phone without permission. At some point in the past he even went to Valentina’s college (Uniatlántico) and talked to one of her teachers. To whom he lied to, saying he was a friend of hers and was helping her bring her abusive boyfriend to justice.
Her case still has to be investigated further in order to determine what really happened. Her friends and family mourn her loss and ask for justice. Valentina has captured the attention of the whole country and people are eager to uncover the truth.
