Matthew Foster-Smith, 46, from Poole, was arrested at Quito International Airport in connection with the death of 36-year-old Natalia Villalba.
Villalba was found dead inside a suitcase in her rented apartment in Bogotá on June 22.
Speaking to The Sun, Foster-Smith claimed he had an alibi, and said: “It wasn’t me. I was watching England.”
However, the England match he appeared to be referring to took place on June 17, while investigators believe Ms Villalba was killed the following day, June 18.
Police suspect Foster-Smith was attempting to fly back to the UK when he was arrested.
The former doctor has twice been jailed for stalking offences involving two different women.
In October 2020, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being convicted of stalking and sharing revenge porn of his ex-girlfriend.
Judge Brian Forster QC said he had engaged in a deliberate campaign to “make her life a misery” after their relationship ended.
Foster-Smith also sent messages threatening “**** the women up” with an axe’, stating: “If I’m going to get banged up, let’s make it worth it.”
He was jailed again in October 2025 for two years and two months for stalking a second victim.
It is not yet clear why Foster-Smith was released before serving his full sentence or how he was able to travel to Colombia while being under legal travel restrictions.
In January 2026, Poole Magistrates’ Court imposed an indefinite stalking prevention order, mandating that he keep in regular, ongoing contact with Dorset Police and strictly log his address and vehicle details.
The Ministry of Justice and Dorset Police have been approached for a comment.
A perpetrator of the crime could face between 40 and 50 years in prison if found guilty in Colombia.
Bogota mayor Carlos Fernando Galan, posted on X: “The man believed to be responsible for the murder of Natalia Villalba has been captured in Ecuador.
“In Bogota, if you commit the crime, you pay the price.”