Brit strangled girlfriend during row in Peru then buried her in his nan's garden
A British man has been found guilty of murder after killing his girlfriend during a holiday in Peru and wrapping her body in plastic before burying her in a shallow grave.
Jorge Garay's trial is believed to be the first of its kind brought under Section 72 of the Domestic Abuse Act of 2021. It allows the UK courts to try people for domestic abuse crimes even if they happen abroad if both people are UK residents.
The 46-year-old killer, who denied the charge, admitted burying the body of 37-year-old mum of one Karla Godoy in a shallow grave on property owned by his grandmother in Peru after the prosecution revealed how she had been strangled during an argument.
Maidstone Crown Court heard a police statement from Garay, which was a two page document, where he admitted killing her but claimed he had feared she was going to kill him.
Garay said in a police statement: "Something crazy came over me. I grabbed her with the elastic/string. She was still kicking me, saying 'let me go b******', insulting me.
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"I shouted 'shut up, shut up'. I was mad...I can't remember what happened at this moment, not exactly. I know I was angry that she was trying to kill me."
Garay has been found guilty of murder (Kent Police / SWNS)
Karla Godoy's body was buried by her partner (Kent Police / SWNS)Afterwards, he claimed he panicked and covered her body in a sheet and put her in the garden. Peruvian police later found the body in a grave at his grandmother's house in Santa Ana. She had been strangled and was identified by her fingerprints.
Garay wrote how he and Karla, who both lived in Hythe Street, Dartford, had visited Peru and Spain during a holiday.
He said: "We had recently been arguing about her ex-partner, he was contacting and messaging Karla about their child. This was causing Karla a lot of stress. She was suffering mentally because of this. I think she was distressed. She was mad and angry about it."
He claimed that Karla had not told her husband she was in a relationship because she feared it could affect her visits with her child who lived in Spain. But she posted a photograph of Karla and Garay visiting Machu Pichu, the Inca citadel in Peru, before returning to his mother's home in Santa Ana. He claimed the husband saw the photograph and became angry.
The burial site in Peru (Kent Police / SWNS)"This led to a huge argument," he said. "We were sat in the kitchen. I told her to ignore him and not to let him spoil our holiday. I told her that she was s*** and at that point she slapped me hard in the face and was calling me the most hurtful names.
"I slapped her back. This made things much worse and she became very very angry. She said: 'No piece of s*** can slap me.'"
Garay alleged Karla picked up a knife next to a fruit bowl on the table and moved towards him.
"She was lashing out at me, trying to strike and slash me with this knife," he continued.
He claimed that as he raised his hand to defend himself she cut his hand.
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"At this point she was so angry...this was the worst I had ever seen her. I was really scared, I feared the worst. I thought she was going to kill me."
Garay will be sentenced on July 28 at Maidstone Crown Court (BPM MEDIA)Garay returned to Britain and was later arrested in London.
The jury also heard how a WhatsApp conversation between the brother of Karla and Garay was discovered late in the trial. It was only found when Eric Godoy was heading to Heathrow to return to Honduras after giving evidence.
DC Jeff Brunger said that before Eric flew out, he revealed there was a recorded conversation he had with Garay. In it, Garay claimed that Karla was upset after an argument with her estranged husband Jesus Onez, who lives in Valencia.
Garay said: "And I don't know what happened because I also became agitated. I had an argument with her, we assaulted each other."
Eric replied: "Well now I know, right? That she is dead and I mean, you killed her and buried her there at your grandmother's home. I mean, I am going to make some phone calls for her body to be collected and you should surrender to police."
As Garay began crying, Mr Godoy added: "It's the only thing to do. You have already seen what the news is saying, Karla was not the kind of girl who would stop calling us. She was a hard-working kind of girl. She was a really nice person."
Garay told his landlord that Karla had stayed in Spain when he went to Peru and also claimed he had been robbed of his money and ID while away. He then went on to empty the flat they rented in Dartford and handed his keys back before he left the area.
The jury took seven hours to convict him.
Libby Clark from the CPS said: "It was clear that the police needed to act, when reports came in of him confessing to the murder of his partner.
"Our legislation gave us the jurisdiction to take on the case, although usually the country where the crime was committed would extradite the individual to face justice there.
"However, the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 gives courts the powers to try a defendant in this country and we will always consider using those powers, particularly in cases of domestic violence, wherever it might have occurred.
"The case presented many challenges, with witnesses in the trial flying to the UK from Peru, Honduras, where Karla was originally from, and Spain to give evidence.
"It was a difficult case logistically to prepare for trial, but thanks to the continued hard work of prosecutors in our International Division, we were able to ensure that all the evidence and witnesses were available so that we could get justice for Karla.
"Garay claimed that he killed Karla in self-defence during an argument, after she came at him with a knife, but the evidence from those who witnessed his behaviour towards her suggested he was a bullying, controlling and jealous man.
"The jury saw through those lies."
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector, Lee Neiles, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: "Karla Godoy's life was violently cut short by a man she trusted during what was supposed to be a holiday for the couple.
"Garay's actions not only ended her life but he tried to cover up his crimes by callously disposing of her body and hiding it in a makeshift grave. Karla leaves behind a young daughter who now faces growing up without her mum and leaves a family without their daughter, sister and aunt.
"Despite Garay's initial confession to Karla's family, he pleaded not guilty and instead chose to put her family through the ordeal of a trial, where details were heard that no family should have to listen to.
"This was a complex case which involved working with international police forces, agencies and prosecuting authorities and I'm pleased we have been able to secure this conviction and hope it offers some justice for Karla and her family."
Garay will be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on July 28 and members of the victim's family are expected to watch the sentencing from Spain and Peru via video link.
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