Young mother is killed by her convicted-murderer boyfriend during conjugal visit after writing a message saying she would be 'loyal even beyond death'

A young mother was allegedly suffocated to death by her convicted-murderer partner during a conjugal prison visit.

Gisella Pérez Gaspar, 27, is believed to have been killed by Cristian Alexis Rivas Sánchez, 26, in a high-security prison in Palmira, Valle del Cauca department, Colombia, on Sunday during a visit to see her partner.

An alarm was raised three hours after Gaspar entered the prison facility, authorities sent out to respond to reports of 'physical aggression' in a prison yard.

Medics were called on to help Gaspar in the jail's healthcare facility, but they could only determine that she no longer showed vital signs.

Officials later said she died due to the severity of her head wounds. 

Her partner, currently in prison for homicide, arms trafficking and conspiracy to commit a crime, is accused of having suffocated her.

Following news of her death, it was reported Gaspar had written heartbreaking messages on social media stressing how they would 'get through this' together after his incarceration, adding 'You know I'm... loyal, even beyond death'. 

'It doesn't matter where you are, I will be with you until the end,' a message overlaid on a picture of the couple reads

Gaspar leaves behind a three-year-old daughter following her death at the prison in Colombia

'A gunshot is heard, the community arrives, this young woman is taken to a medical center, but due to the severity of the wound, which was to the head, she died,' recounted Colonel Carlos Germán Oviedo, commander of the Cali Police.

Sánchez is now expected to be charged with femicide.

Gisella leaves behind a three-year-old daughter, but it is not clear if the suspect is the girl's biological dad.

Gisella had written on social media in February, shortly after Sánchez was jailed in Palmira, Colombia: 'My love, I want you to know I love you.

'I'll be there for you. These are just tests, my love.

'I know that by trusting in God, we'll get through this and much more. Just have a little patience.

'Remember, I'll always be there for you in good times, bad times, and even the worst. I know that you and I can do it, don't let yourself be defeated, my love.

'Remember, we're waiting for you, my love. You know you're my sweetheart. You know I'm steadfast, real, and loyal, even beyond death.'

Palmira official William Andrey Espinosa said: 'We deplore the incident that occurred within the Villa de las Palmas Prison and Penitentiary Centre, where this 27-year-old woman was murdered by her own partner.

'We have asked the authorities, especially the Public Prosecutor's Office, to investigate.'

Reports of femicide in the region have increased in recent years.

Officials in Cali met earlier this year to discuss possible preventative policies aimed at tackling violence against women, with 10 femicides reported in 2023 alone.

'We have seven femicides and four more cases to be classified, including the case that unfortunately occurred yesterday in the city of Palmira,' said Yurani Andrea Ordóñez, Secretary of Women, Gender Equality and Sexual Diversity of the Valle del Cauca department.

An undated picture shows Gaspar with her partner Sanchez

'I know that by trusting in God, we'll get through this and much more. Just have a little patience,' Gaspar had written in messages shared on social media

Violence against women in Colombia has seen a dramatic uptick in recent years.

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of reports climbed from 571 to 630.

A further 612 were reported in 2022 alone.

Femicide is defined as the killing of women for their gender.

A lack of resources, high levels of impunity and cultural discrimination have been suggested as reasons for the continuing trend.