Costa Rica arrests suspect in murder of U.S. woman
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- Costa Rican authorities have arrested a suspect in the killing of a U.S. social worker who was found stabbed to death at a hotel in the Central American nation's capital.
The Costa Rican Public Ministry says the 27-year-old suspect apparently was involved in a romantic relationship with Minnesota native Sondra Lynn Elizondo.
Elizondo founded Florida-based Vida Volunteer organization, which helps provide health and veterinary care in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, CBS Minnesota reports. She was found dead last week in San Jose.
In a statement released last week, Vida Volunteer said Elizondo "was largely responsible for defining and implementing Vida's core values."
Vida Volunteer said the victim was a social worker and Minnesota native who resided in Merritt Island, Florida. She had served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica from 1994 to 1996.
The Public Ministry said Wednesday that the suspect was detained Dec. 10 at a supermarket. Accompanied by a defense lawyer, he declined to make a statement. He was ordered to remain behind bars while authorities investigate.