VALLEDUPAR, CESAR, COLOMBIA – DECEMBER, 2025 In the Primero de Mayo neighborhood of Valledupar, a tragic incident occurred in which 25-year-old police officer Vanessa de León Pertuz was murdered by her partner, 28-year-old Giovani Mauricio Durán Quintero, an employee of the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (Inpec).
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- Vanessa de León Pertuz 1
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- Vanessa de León Pertuz 2
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- Her dead body
The crime took place in the officer’s home while she was off duty. According to investigators, a heated argument broke out between the couple around 10 a.m., escalating into a brutal attack. Vanessa suffered multiple stab and slash wounds and died at the scene.
After the murder, Durán Quintero attempted to commit suicide by jumping from the third floor. He survived the fall and was taken to Santa Isabel Hospital, where he is receiving specialized care.
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- Giovani Mauricio Durán Quintero
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- Aftermath photo
Police stated that the couple had been together for eight years and that the motive was likely a personal dispute. Authorities are investigating the case as a possible femicide, although the formal charge filed so far is homicide.
If you’re thinking about suicide, please stop and recognize that your pain is not permanent, but this step would be. It may feel like there’s no other way, but there is hope, even if it’s hard to see right now. Your feelings are temporary, and with help, they can pass.
Talking about what you're going through might feel difficult, but it’s the first step toward healing. Don’t turn away from the people who want to support you. Life can offer more than what you're feeling right now, and the pain doesn't have to last forever. You deserve help, and it’s available.
If you need immediate help, please contact a helpline.
