A German exchange student was found murdered in northern Colombia earlier this week, prompting a significant reward for information leading to an arrest. The death of 26-year-old Leif Elxnat underscores persistent security concerns for travelers in certain areas of the contry, and follows a pattern of recent attacks targeting tourists in the La Guajira province. Authorities are investigating the homicide as a potential robbery, but are also examining links to previous incidents in the region.
A German exchange student was found murdered on a roadside in northern Colombia, prompting a reward offer of 70 million pesos – roughly $17,500 USD – for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. The incident underscores the ongoing security challenges facing tourists in certain regions of the country.
Leif Elxnat, 26, was discovered near his Suzuki motorcycle on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, along the highway between Cuatro Vías and Uribia in La Guajira province, authorities said. The circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation, but robbery is considered a primary motive.
Elxnat arrived in Colombia in August 2023 to study at the Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería Julio Garavito in Bogotá, completing his coursework in December. He had been traveling through the country on his motorcycle since then, and was reportedly heading towards Alta Guajira when he was attacked.
The tourist was traveling on a blue and white Suzuki motorcycle. Foto:EDUARDO CASTRO
Following the discovery of Elxnat’s body, the La Guajira government convened a security council meeting and announced the reward for information. “We still don’t have anyone who can tell us with certainty what happened at the site,” explained Colonel Salomón Bello, the regional police commander. “However, our units, together with the Technical Investigation Corps of the Attorney General’s Office, are already carrying out all investigative work to clarify this fact, which grieves a family in Germany.”
The Attorney General’s Office has assigned the case to its office in Maicao, and an active investigation is underway, officials confirmed. Investigators are examining the possibility that Elxnat’s murder is connected to a series of similar crimes in the area.
A reward of up to 70 million pesos is being offered for information related to the murder. Foto:EDUARDO CASTRO
Preliminary reports from the police’s forensic investigation unit (SIJIN) and the Attorney General’s Office detail Elxnat’s death and highlight a pattern of other crimes in the region. The victim sustained two gunshot wounds to the left chest, resulting in immediate death.
The Investigation
Authorities were alerted to Elxnat’s death on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at approximately 8:33 a.m. when a call reported a man lying on the side of the road at kilometer 58 on the highway between Riohacha and La Guajira, near Cuatro Vías.
The man was in the country as a tourist. Foto:Redes sociales
Police arriving at the scene determined that Elxnat had suffered two gunshot wounds. Both shots struck his left pectoral region, proving fatal.
This is not an isolated incident. Authorities are investigating at least three previous cases of robbery and homicide in the same corridor. Investigators are working to determine if a single criminal network is responsible for the recent surge in attacks targeting tourists.
The tourist was traveling on a Suzuki motorcycle, blue with white accents. Foto:Redes sociales
On February 20, 2024, a group of French tourists traveling from Cabo de la Vela to Manaure were robbed by criminals. On August 7, 2024, a motorcycle belonging to content creators traveling between Riohacha and Manaure was stolen. And on November 9, 2022, a tourist from Antioquia was murdered while traveling towards Cabo de la Vela in Alta Guajira.
Given the history of similar attacks, the Attorney General’s Office and the police are analyzing these cases together to determine if they are linked to Elxnat’s death.
