Foul play suspected in death of U.S. woman in Puerto Jiménez

A 49-year-old U.S. citizen was found dead in a cabin on her property Wednesday morning in Puerto Jiménez, in the Southern Zone’s Osa Peninsula, according to a statement by the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ).

Authorities stationed in the OIJ office at Ciudad Nelly are investigating the death of a female identified as Lisa Artz. Her body was found in one of various cabins she rented to foreign tourists, the OIJ statement said. Artz was the caretaker at the Tres Palmas hotel, located on the Cabo Matapalo property about 18 kilometers southwest of central Puerto Jiménez.

According to a preliminary report, Artz’s hands and feet were bound, and she had a pillow covering her mouth, leading investigators to suspect foul play. An autopsy is being conducted to determine the official cause of death.

The OIJ report said the woman had lived in the area for several years. The case remains under investigation, but police suspect the motive was robbery.