Photo: Facebook
The family of a Florida womanfound deadin Costa Rica is suing Airbnb and the owners of the resort where the woman was killed.
Carla Stefaniak, 36, was on vacation in Costa Rica in late November. She was set to return home on Nov. 28 — her birthday. She checked into her flight online, but never boarded the plane. On the day before her disappearance, she texted her sister-in-law and said that conditions were“pretty sketchy”at the resort where she was staying.
Attorneys for the villa did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Stefaniak’s partially buried body was found in a wooded area about 1,000 feet from the resort. She covered in plastic bags. An autopsy found that she died as a result of headinjuries, but also suffered multiple stab wounds on her neck.
A security guard working the propertysurrounding the Airbnb where Stefaniak was staying was arrested in connection to her death.
According to General Director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department Walter Espinoza, the security guard, 32-year-old Bismarck Espinosa Martinez, became a suspect after allegedly contradicting his story regarding Stefaniak’s whereabouts to police. Espinoza said thatMartinez’ alleged “motive is sexual.”
Espinoza also alleged that Martinez has been living in Costa Rica for the past several years illegally.
Martinez was not immediately charged after his arrest and authorities announced he was being held on a preventive sentence and would spend several months in prison. It is not clear if he has been charged yet.
There are no details at this time as to whether or not Martinez has a lawyer or has entered a plea.
Family Claims More Than 1 Person Was Involved in Her Death
On Dec. 13, Stefaniak’s family wrote on a Facebook page launched after her disappearance that sources involved in the investigation have told themmore than one person was likely involved in her death.
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Carla Stefaniak.Facebook
After she disappeared, Stefaniak had no online or social media presence.
“Carla’s clothes, iPhone and other electronics were found,” the family wrote. “This is consistent with our initial suspicions and communications with Costa Rican authorities that whoever abducted Carla turned her electronics off and the last digital footprint was at the AirBnb location.”
No other suspects are currently in custody. Costa Rican authorities are continuing to investigate the case.
source: people.com
