A memorial plaque for Belgian backpacker Natacha de Crombrugghe has been unveiled in Peru’s Colca Valley. The 28-year-old woman from Linkebeek (Brussels) was found dead in that region in September last year after she had been missing for months. “Now she protects all walkers,” the plaque reads.
Natacha, 28, disappeared on January 24, 2022 when she allegedly left alone from a hostel in the village of Cabanaconde for a trek through the Colca Canyon, a deep expanse of gorge in the south of the country. She left a backpack in her hotel room.
Whether Natacha died in an accident, whether she was kidnapped or murdered may forever remain a mystery. Her body was found by fishermen in the Colca River on September 21. It was in an advanced state of decomposition. DNA tests did show that the body remains found actually belonged to the disappeared Natacha. An investigation revealed that she died after a blow to the head.
At the start of the last trek
“Natacha’s story will never be forgotten”, says the Facebook page ‘Looking for Natacha’. Cabanaconde residents show in a video how they unveiled a memorial plaque for Natacha at the Achachihua viewpoint – the place where Natacha’s last trek started.
“By moving away from everything, you get closer to the essence,” says the Peruvian newspaper ‘La Republica’ on the plaque. “Now she protects all hikers and overlooks the Colca Gorge,” say the residents of Cabanaconde. “You will live in the valley forever and your smile will illuminate all visitors.”
LOOK. Images show Natacha just before her disappearance in Peru
Read also:
Parents of Natacha de Crombrugghe: “We are afraid that the real blow is yet to come” (+)
Body missing Natacha finally back home from Peru: “We all fought this difficult battle together” (+)
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