World champion figure skater murdered by her boyfriend
Luz Mery Tristán, 60, was found dead in her home on Saturday after Colombian police became involved in a family dispute.
Police arrested her boyfriend, Andrés Ricci, 58, who was holding the gun he used to shoot Tristán, a mother of five.
Authorities said Ricci was under the influence of alcohol at the time of his arrest. He too was suffering from a cardiovascular condition and was taken to a local medical center.
Andrés Ricci, with whom the famous skater was hanging out, was arrested…
During Sunday’s virtual hearing, Ricci confessed to killing Tristan. Ricci faces three more charges, including femicide, smuggling and illegal possession of firearms.
Police searched Tristan’s home and confiscated six weapons belonging to Ricci. It is not known if the famous skater lives with Tristán, whom he will marry in October.
WHO IS LUZ MERY TRISTÀN?
Tristán rose to fame in 1990 as the first Colombian to win a gold medal in the 5,000 m event at the World Inline Speed Skating Championships in Bello, Colombia.
He also won gold in the 5,000 m dash and bronze in the relay at the 1987 Pan American Games in Indiana. Before that, he was part of a team that competed in the 1986 Tour de France.
Known as the “pioneer of the golden wheel”, Tristán is known for his 19 international championship successes.
In 2006, he inaugurated the Luz Mery Tristán Sports Center, where future skating champions Daniela Mendoza, Rommy Muñoz, Sebastián Garcés and Johana Viveros train. Elías del Valle described Tristán as “the icon of Colombian skating”.