A politician has been arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting his 22-year-old girlfriend.
Claudia Anabel Timpson Gutiérrez’s body was found lying on the side of a motorway on Sunday (15 Dec) with gunshot wounds.
During an investigation into her death, detectives discovered her boyfriend, Ronaldo Gabriel Machado Soto, had disappeared.
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He was eventually found hiding on a cattle farm in María Vicenta, San Carlos district, Panama.
The police seized his pick-up truck in El Mangote.
During questioning, Machado, 26, claimed he was arguing with his girlfriend in the car when the gun he was carrying “accidentally” discharged.
Police believe he dumped the 22-year-old’s body and was in the process of attempting to flee the country.
Claudia was in the fourth year of her law degree at the University of Panama, where her father is a law professor.
Machado reportedly appears on the National Assembly’s payroll as an adviser.
During elections on 5 May, he ran to represent the Ancón district for the National Liberal Republican Movement (MOLIRENA) party.
Claudia will be laid to rest in Panama City on Wednesday (18 Dec), as reported by Need To Know.
Machado is expected to be charged with her murder and he faces a bail hearing today (17 Dec).
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