Kim McRae: Coogee murder suspect Hector Valencia on Caribbean island
Six months on from the alleged murder of sex worker Kimberley McRae in Coogee, the key suspect in the case remains on a Caribbean island. NSW authorities are battling to have him extradited so he can appear before the courts in Sydney.
Southern Courier
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An overseas student suspected of murdering Coogee sex worker Kimberley McRae remains on a small island in the Caribbean awaiting extradition – six months on from her alleged murder.
The 69-year-old was found dead inside her Mount St unit on January 14.
NSW Police launched a murder investigation following the grisly discovery and Colombian man Hector Enrique Valencia, 20, was arrested in late February on the island of Aruba.
The Daily Telegraph previously reported that he resided in Australia on a student visa but flew to Aruba – where he had relatives – after Ms McRae had allegedly been killed.
Police cannot charge him until he arrives back in Australia and have been working with Commonwealth authorities to have Valencia extradited.
However, it is proving a lengthy process and he remains on the island which is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
“He is wanted for prosecution in Australia for murder,” an Attorney-General’s Department spokesman said on Monday.
“Mr Valencia remains in extradition custody in Aruba pending consideration of Australia’s extradition request.”
Ms McRae was last seen alive by neighbours at least four days prior to her body being discovered.
Police have not said how she died.
Friend Kathleen Allen said, following her death, she remembered her as the “kindest most generous person”.
“I am very proud to have met her and known her,” she said.
“She was just a complete conundrum and I loved that about her. And she was a beautiful, generous soul.”
Ms McRae lived alone in her apartment and also went by the names Sabrina, Isabella and Samantha.
Ms McRae had lived in her apartment for six months before she died but had previously lived in another apartment on the same street for about 12 years and was well known in the Coogee community.
A NSW Police spokesman said “the priority for all Australian authorities is seeking the return of (Mr Valencia) to face justice”.