GUILTY COSTA RICA - Carla Stefaniak, 36, American tourist, San Antonio de Escazú, 27 Nov 2018

[Celt1997]

It doesn't matter if it is a man or woman, traveling in a group, or alone. Travelers should always exercise caution.

In this instance, she was staying in an area that is within 3 miles of 2 distinct areas for which the US Consulate has issued an advisory (Pavas & Hospital regions of San Jose). I would hope she had taken extra precautions, but, as we've seen countless times on these boards, a criminal doesn't always care if you're cautious, or not.

 

[Rob774]

Ryan Hughes (@WFLARyan) | Twitter
Ryan Hughes on Twitter

Family of Carla Stefaniak to identify body near Costa Rica property where South Florida woman was last seen. Updates throughout the day on @WFLA. More details: http://wfla.com .

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Trent Kelly (@TrentKellyWPLG) | Twitter
Trent Kelly on Twitter

UPDATE: Carla Stefaniak's father and brother are at Costa Rica morgue, waiting to identify body.

Owner of Airbnb where body was found says they are working with investigators, facility now shut down temporarily... #FindingCarla

(Trent Kelly added,)
South Florida family travels to Costa Rica to identify body believed to be missing woman

No parent should EVER have to go through this.

It breaks your heart just reading it.

 

[Rob774]

It doesn't matter if it is a man or woman, traveling in a group, or alone. Travelers should always exercise caution.

In this instance, she was staying in an area that is within 3 miles of 2 distinct areas for which the US Consulate has issued an advisory (Pavas & Hospial regions of San Jose). I would hope she had taken extra precautions, but, as we've seen countless times on these boards, a criminal doesn't always care if you're cautious, or not.

This is true. They saw an opportunity... and just went for it. In most cases.. that's all its really about.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Exercise normal precautions in Costa Rica. Some areas have increased risk:
Central neighborhood in Limon due to crime.
Liberia city due to crime.
Desamparados neighborhood in San Rafael due to crime.
Pavas and Hospital neighborhoods San Jose due to crime.

Costa Rica Travel Advisory

 

[whitelilac]

My thoughts are with the family. I can't imagine the heartbreak they are going through.
It is devastating, horrendous.

 

[Celt1997]

Exercise normal precautions in Costa Rica. Some areas have increased risk:
Central neighborhood in Limon due to crime.
Liberia city due to crime.
Desamparados neighborhood in San Rafael due to crime.
Pavas and Hospital neighborhoods San Jose due to crime.

Costa Rica Travel Advisory

Specifically for Pavas & Hospital (the areas she was within 3 miles of)

"Pavas and Hospital neighborhoods in San Jose

Criminal assault and homicides have been reported in these areas. Gang activity, such as territorial disputes and narcotics trafficking, has been reported in Pavas in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy."

 

[soap mama]

Yes it does. I get it, thanks. I was thinking about staying in that room after her that just kinda/sorta creeps me out. Like I said-hindsight.

Absolutely, I totally get what you’re saying.

 

[LietKynes]

What a horrible task they have, I wish them alot of strength .

Same here....

Hope the family insists on a full autopsy .. incl. if she was slipped any drugs ; and checking for dna under her fingernails.

 

[retiredrickyinCO]

Same here....

Hope the family insists on a full autopsy .. incl. if she was slipped any drugs ; and checking for dna under her fingernails.

According to Family of missing Florida woman awaiting update in Costa Rica after body found

Investigators said they are performing an autopsy before releasing the identity of the person who was found dead.

I just find it such a tragic event and such a waste of life. We can all speculate as to what she should/shouldn't have done but it changes nothing that has happened. Hopefully the family can move on and all of us can just be aware of the evil that surrounds us when we might not be aware.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Federico Jenkins, a lawyer for the complex where Stefaniak stayed, said in a statement that the owners are cooperating with authorities and the facility is temporarily closed.

Here is the full statement:

"Since 2013, Villa Le Mas has operated a small vacation rental facility located at San Antonio, Escazu, Costa Rica. We have received over a thousand guests with wonderful reviews about the property and our service.

We are deeply saddened and devastated by the tragic events that occurred last week. The owners are fully cooperating with the authorities in the investigation and we hope that once the facts are determined, the perpetrator is brought to justice.

Our deepest sympathies are with the family of the victim of this horrible crime.

While the investigation is ongoing, and since the focus of the owners is the comfort of our guests, the facility has been temporarily closed."

Missing Florida woman's family to ID body found in Costa Rica

 

[Barnabas]

I wonder if anyone else is buried on that property.

 

[Elainera]

According to Family of missing Florida woman awaiting update in Costa Rica after body found

Investigators said they are performing an autopsy before releasing the identity of the person who was found dead.

I just find it such a tragic event and such a waste of life. We can all speculate as to what she should/shouldn't have done but it changes nothing that has happened. Hopefully the family can move on and all of us can just be aware of the evil that surrounds us when we might not be aware.

The family will probably report on the facebook page whether it's Carla before the autopsy is done. jmo

 

[Elainera]

Federico Jenkins, a lawyer for the complex where Stefaniak stayed, said in a statement that the owners are cooperating with authorities and the facility is temporarily closed.

Here is the full statement:

"Since 2013, Villa Le Mas has operated a small vacation rental facility located at San Antonio, Escazu, Costa Rica. We have received over a thousand guests with wonderful reviews about the property and our service.

We are deeply saddened and devastated by the tragic events that occurred last week. The owners are fully cooperating with the authorities in the investigation and we hope that once the facts are determined, the perpetrator is brought to justice.

Our deepest sympathies are with the family of the victim of this horrible crime.

While the investigation is ongoing, and since the focus of the owners is the comfort of our guests, the facility has been temporarily closed."

Missing Florida woman's family to ID body found in Costa Rica

Well this certainly sounds like they already got an unofficial confirmation that it is indeed Carla.

 

[NervousNellie]

The family will probably report on the facebook page whether it's Carla before the autopsy is done. jmo

I don't know... family posted on the Finding Carla page "6 hours ago" that they were on their way to ID the body. Now "one hour ago," the page says "no update; still awaiting confirmation." Would she really not be recognizable? If so, then why would they be brought in for ID purposes? So sad.

 

[NervousNellie]

Well this certainly sounds like they already got an unofficial confirmation that it is indeed Carla.

Wow. That does indeed look like the property owner is at least admitting it is her.

 

[chippigoo]

I don't know... family posted on the Finding Carla page "6 hours ago" that they were on their way to ID the body. Now "one hour ago," the page says "no update; still awaiting confirmation." Would she really not be recognizable? If so, then why would they be brought in for ID purposes? So sad.

Putrefaction of a corpse begins pretty quickly. Since she's been missing since November 27, and the climate there is tropical, it's possible the decomposition is advanced enough to have doubts when looking at the body.

 

[Elainera]

I don't know... family posted on the Finding Carla page "6 hours ago" that they were on their way to ID the body. Now "one hour ago," the page says "no update; still awaiting confirmation." Would she really not be recognizable? If so, then why would they be brought in for ID purposes? So sad.

Is it the family posting there? I had the impression possibly a friend is posting, saying they are still waiting to hear back from the family (who went to the morgue).

 

[Elainera]

Putrefaction of a corpse begins pretty quickly. Since she's been missing since November 27, and the climate there is tropical, it's possible the decomposition is advanced enough to have doubts when looking at the body.

It must be horrific for the family to look at.

Hopefully she has some moles or other unique markings so they don't have to look at her face.
Did she have tattoos?

 

[human]

Maybe her traveling companion had driving privileges in Costa Rica.

Anyone can drive in Costa Rica with their US license

 

[ocsalumni]

7 min ago: "JUST IN: Spokesman for family of missing Florida woman Carla Stefaniak tells me the family has left the morgue and hasn't identified a body found in Costa Rica. More details soon, they hope. @WFLA."