Monster who strangled girlfriend on Peru holiday before wrapping body in plastic to dump at gran’s home guilty of murder
A MONSTER who strangled his girlfriend on holiday in Peru before dumping her body at his gran's home has been found guilty of murder.
Jorge Garay wrapped a bungee-style cord around 36-year-old Karla Godoy's neck in a brutal killing.
He then covered the mum-of-one's body in plastic sheeting before driving her to his gran's home in Lima four miles away where he buried her in a shallow grave.
Garay, 46, has today been convicted of murdering Karla at Maidstone Crown Court - 6,000 miles away from Peru.
The trial was held in England under new domestic abuse laws that allow UK courts to try cases committed overseas if the defendant resides in the UK.
Jurors were told Garay and Karla were living together in Dartford, Kent, when they travelled to his native Peru for a holiday in 2022.
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Controlling Garay was furious after Karla planned to leave the country to visit her daughter, who lived with her ex-husband in Spain.
The alarm was raised on September 23 when the mum failed to make her pre-booked flight to Madrid that day.
Garay meanwhile told his mum Karla had boarded the plane before heading back to the UK alone on October 1.
Her body was discovered wrapped in blue plastic sheeting in a shallow grave at the killer's gran's home in the Carabayllo province of Lima 11 days later.
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When Garay was arrested, he admitted killing his partner but claimed he had acted in self-defence.
The monster said he "punched her in the face" after she "went for him" with a 12ins knife.
He claimed "something crazy" came over him as he reached for the cord, adding: "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 and she was trying to kill me."
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Garay had also confessed to Karla's brother in a phonecall where he said the mum was buried at his gran's home.
The recorded phonecall ended with the sound of the killer crying.
Garay was remanded into custody to be sentenced on July 28.
Detective Inspector, Lee Neiles, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate who lead the investigation, 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."
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