Update; Sunday, October 1: The suspect in this case, Andrew Roy Willis, will be kept in detention for 4-months while the case is investigated, report the courts.

Andrew Roy Willis, a U.S. citizen, was charged with homicide yesterday, Thursday, September 28, in the southern Costa Rican town of Pérez Zeledón after his sentimental partner, Melania Calvo Víquez (33), was discovered buried near their rural home.

On Tuesday, a field hand reported having seen what looked like parts of a human body sticking out of the ground on the property, a finding confirmed by police Wednesday.

Forensic experts spent hours excavating the body from the muddy soil. The work had to be done very carefully due to the advanced state of decomposition of the woman’s corpse, said judicial investigative police (OIJ) director, Walter Espinoza, in a press conference.

Because of the delicate state of the body, and in order to preserve as much evidence as possible, a detailed evaluation of the body was not undertaken at the site of the crime. However Espinoza said police investigators did note injuries on the woman’s neck; and added that no gunshot wounds were noted. Calvo Víquez’ body is currently under forensic review.

Investigators searched Willis’ home and found an AK47 and another weapon, along with a lot of ammunition; no traces of blood were detected in the house.

Police believe the woman may have been killed near her burial site, which was about 500 meters from their house. Espinoza added that, according to neighbors and other individuals interviewed so far in the case, the couple was known for arguing, and there had been domestic violence incidents in the past.

Willis’ property is a nearly 500-acre farm in a rural area about one hour from the nearest small town of Perez Zeledon, located in the southernmost part of San José province.

Police are continuing the investigation to determine the motives and facts related to Calvo Víquez’ homicide.