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Stabbed pregnant woman, 21, suffers horror death with missing baby cut from womb

Mara Camila Potos was last seen getting onto a motorbike with an unknown woman in Cali, Colombia. Her body was found four days later on the banks of a river, with her unborn baby missing

[Mara Camila Potos]

Mara Camila Potos suffered a horrific death(Image: Jam Press)

Colombia has been left reeling after a young expectant mother was discovered dead beside a river with her eight-month-old unborn child allegedly cut from her womb.

Mara Camila Potos was only 21 when she vanished in the city of Cali on July 16. Following four days of intensive searches, her remains were discovered along the banks of the River Melndez.

Upon finding Maria's remains, investigators discovered her hands and feet had been tied, she had suffered multiple stab wounds, and her unborn child, who La FM reported was to be named Alahia, had been extracted from her womb. The infant was expected to arrive in August, with a baby shower planned just days before the horrific tragedy.

Confirming the discovery of Maria's remains, Maj Alirio Acuna, deputy head of criminal investigations for Cali Police, stated: "The body of a pregnant woman was found at kilometre 3 on the La Buitrera road, specifically on the banks of the River Melndez.

"Preliminary findings suggest that the physical characteristics and clothing match those of the 21-year-old woman who had been reported missing since last Thursday, July 16."

[Two individuals are riding a motorcycle on a road, with a blue car parked in the background.]

A woman was found dead on the banks of a river in Colombia(Image: Jam Press)

Maria was last spotted climbing onto a motorbike with an unidentified woman who, at the time of writing, remains unknown. According to Noticias Caracol, Maria had just attended an appointment at the Los Polvorines health centre in southern Cali before boarding the motorbike that was recorded on CCTV.

Discussing Maria's appointment just hours before her tragic death, Diana Carolina, manager of the Ladera Health Network, explained: "It was a routine consultation, in line with clinical practice guidelines.

"She arrived at our healthcare centre at around 9 am. She entered the consultation room alone and underwent the necessary check-up."

Maria's mum Ana Rubi Gomez has made a desperate plea for her granddaughter's safe return, urging the public to assist in locating the missing infant.

She revealed to La FM: "The first thing I asked was whether the baby was still in her womb, and they told me no, that the baby wasn't there.

"That filled me with hope that the baby might still be alive. So I'm asking the public and the community to help me find my little girl."

[An aerial view of a narrow street, capturing the pavement and a parked vehicle on the left side, with another vehicle visible in the distance. The street is flanked by a building on the right.]

Police are investigating the death of Maria(Image: Jam Press)

After Maria's body was discovered, the Cali Ombudsman's Office has demanded a swift and thorough probe into her death.

Additionally, they've stressed the urgency of tracing the missing infant immediately in case she remains alive.

Officials reportedly stated that the post-mortem findings confirming the baby's removal "makes it even more urgent to clarify the facts and locate the newborn baby".

They continued: "As the Public Prosecutor's Office, we call on the Attorney General's Office and the relevant authorities to carry out all investigative measures as swiftly as possible and to put in place the necessary measures to locate the baby, ensuring the protection of her life and safety.

"We also urge members of the public to provide any information through official channels that may assist the investigation. Every minute counts."

The investigation into Maria's death is ongoing.

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