Kimberley McRae murder: Man extradited over Coogee sex worker death

NSW Police have arrested a man over the death of Coogee icon Kimberley McRae. He is expected to be charged this afternoon.

A Colombian student has been extradited to Sydney over the death of a 69-year-old sex worker in Coogee earlier this year after being traced to the Caribbean island of Aruba.

Local police on Aruba arrested Henrique Enrique Valencia,, 21, following an investigation by NSW Police into the death of Coogee woman Kimberley McRae.

The sex worker’s body was found inside her flat in Mount St on January 14.

The woman was identified as 69-year-old Kimberley McRae.

A man has been extradited from the Caribbean over the murder of a woman at Coogee earlier this year. Picture: NSW Police

Valencia appeared at Central Local Court via video link today and was refused bail to reappear on January 19.

The Colombian was reportedly detained in Aruba in February but COVID forced NSW strike force detectives to wait until last week before they could travel to the Caribbean island where he was released into their custody.

He arrived in Sydney this morning and was taken to Surry Hills Police station where he will likely be charged.

Police will allege Valencia had been in Australia on a student visa before Ms McRae’s death.

“He left a short time after the murder and went to South America and then into Aruba,”

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said.

Det Supt Doherty said there were extensive logistical delays in extraditing the man because of COVID which meant it was only recently approved.

“An extensive amount of inquiries were conducted initially with our Commonwealth partners,” he said.

The man has been extradited to Sydney.

Det Supt Doherty would not comment on the motive for the murder but did say Valencia’s movements in the moments after the alleged murder would form part of the prosecution’s case.

Ms McRae’s family thanked NSW police for their “tireless” work.

“It is incredibly difficult to express in words what our family has been through since Kimberley’s death,” her twin sister Karen McRae said in a statement.

“Kimberley was a cherished member of our family with a unique and vivacious personality.

“We grieve daily for Kimberley and are still struggling to comprehend that we will never see her again.”

Ms McRae was farewelled at a candlelight vigil in Coogee days after her death in January.

She was remembered as a person who was well-loved by her local community.

The man was arrested in Aruba.

Originally published as Kimberley McRae murder: Man extradited over Coogee sex worker death