The arrest of Marco Antonio Parra Rodríguez, identified as the prime suspect in the murder of Emily Villalba, was carried out in a rural area of the municipality of Facatativá, in the department of Cundinamarca, thanks to an operation by authorities.
According to police, the arrest was made possible thanks to a citizen complaint, spurred by a reward of up to 20 million pesos offered by authorities.
A recently released video shows the exact moment of Parra’s arrest. The footage shows the man wearing a blue jacket and jeans while two uniformed officers read him his rights and inform him of the arrest warrant.
During the procedure, the suspect remained motionless, staring at the floor and with his hands clasped in front of him. The officers then handcuffed him and placed him in a patrol car, where he was later taken into custody.
The name Marco Antonio Parra emerged as part of the investigations related to the disappearance and subsequent discovery of Emily Villalba’s body, as she was last seen in the company of a neighbor in the Pueblo Viejo neighborhood, where she lived.
Security cameras in the area captured the last images of Emily walking alongside a man, allowing authorities to focus on this person as the prime suspect.
On the day of her disappearance, Emily had left a dental appointment and was heading home; however, she never arrived, which raised alarm among her family. After being unable to contact her, her family and close friends organized a search.
It was hours later that authorities reported the discovery of the minor’s body in a wooded area of the municipality. According to preliminary statements from authorities, Emily had multiple bruises and lacerations on her neck, confirming that she had been the victim of a violent attack.
The governor of Cundinamarca, Jorge Rey, confirmed the capture of the suspect and praised the effectiveness of the operation carried out by security forces.
Although no further details have been revealed about the legal proceedings Parra Rodríguez will face, his arrest represents a significant step forward in the search for justice for Emily Villalba and her family.
“ Amid the sadness that overwhelms us due to the horrific death of a 15-year-old girl in the municipality of Chocontá, I must give you some good news: we have captured Marco Antonio Parra in a rural area of the municipality of Facatativá,” said the governor.
Jorge Rey also assured that authorities are working to clarify what happened to the minor. “We assure you that we will follow up to ensure that sanctions and exemplary sentences are effectively imposed to prevent this type of regrettable incident from happening again in the department,” he added.
The murder of Emily Villalba has sent shockwaves through the municipality of Chocontá and throughout the department of Cundinamarca. In light of this tragic event, authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the case does not go unpunished. “To Emily’s family, our solidarity and our commitment to ensuring that this crime does not go unpunished. We will effectively follow up to ensure that the punishment is exemplary,” Rey stated.
Emily’s case adds to a disturbing list of gender-based crimes that have shaken the country in recent years. Parra Rodríguez’s arrest represents progress in the search for justice, but also highlights the need to continue strengthening prevention and response policies for violence against women.
Authorities have indicated that they will continue working to clarify the facts and ensure that the perpetrator faces the appropriate legal consequences.
