My 2012 was quickly underway as I was sent to Costa Rica on January 2nd for the Daily Telegraph. I was covering the story of British backpacker Alfred Saunders, who was arrested on suspicion of murdering Czech student Alexandra Drbohlavova at a remote ‘eco-farm’ in the rainforests near the country’s northern border with Nicaragua. Saunders is alleged to have stabbed Drbohlavova a total of 15 times while she slept in a tent, according to police.
It was quite a challenging story to cover, as the farm where events unfolded was in an extremely isolated location, accessible only by 4×4 vehicles via rocky, muddy trails crossed with streams and rickety wooden bridges. Wiring the images was also a challenge with a lack of internet for many miles – something that’s taken for granted now.
Police display Alfred Saunders' possessions outside the local police station in Colonia Libertad where he was arrested for allegedly stabbing Czech student Alexandra Drbohlavova to death. Local police officer Gabriel Cordoncillo, who made the arrest, stands to the left.
Police display a sack containing Alfred Saunders' possessions outside the local police station in Colonia Libertad.
A solitary desk at the provincial police station in the remote town of Colonia Libertad contained notes about murder suspect Alfred Saunders.
With his face obscured by a white bath towel, British murder suspect Alfred Saunders arrives at court in Upala, Costa Rica, on Monday January 9th, 2012.
With cuts on his hands, including a deep gash on his left thumb, British murder suspect Alfred Saunders arrives in handcuffs at court in Upala, Costa Rica, on Monday January 9th, 2012.
Shackled and handcuffed, and wearing a white bath towel over his head, British murder suspect Alfred Saunders arrives at court in Upala, Costa Rica, on Monday January 9th, 2012.
Alfred Saunders arrives at court flanked by police.
Alfred Saunders leaves court Monday night, without wearing the white bath towel he'd worn to obscure his face for much of the day's proceedings.
Links to coverage of the story from the Daily Telegraph:
Backpacker held over ‘drug fuelled’ Costa Rica murder (Jan 1st)
British murder suspect tied with vines before arrest in Costa Rica (Jan 3rd)
British backpacker accused of murder had been on course in China (Jan 4th)
British backpacker accused of Costa Rica murder was carrying SAS training manual (Jan 5th)
British backpacker begins trial over Czech student murder in Costa Rica (Jan 10th)