Nederlandse reiziger Marlies Genz gevonden in Colombiaans meer
Salento, maandag, 1 juni 2026.
Het lichaam van de 41-jarige Marlies Genz is aangetroffen in een klein meer bij het dorpje Palestina, ruim 60 kilometer van waar ze vermist raakte. De Nederlandse werd sinds 25 mei gezocht in het populaire toeristische gebied Salento, waar ze verbleef in een boutiquehostel. Ze had een afspraak voor een koffietour op een plantage, maar verscheen niet. Familie en vrienden meldden haar vermissing na stilte op apps en telefoon. De lokale gemeente bevestigt de vondst en biedt rouw aan de nabestaanden. De precieze oorzaak van het overlijden is nog onduidelijk. Autoriteiten voeren forensisch onderzoek uit. Een Nederlandse diplomaat ondersteunt de familie ter plekke.
discovery in palestina
The body of missing Dutch national Marlies Genz was found in a small lake near the rural village of Palestina, located approximately 70 kilometers from Salento. Colombian authorities discovered the remains during ongoing search operations after Genz failed to return from a planned hike. Local outlet La Crónica del Quindío confirmed the location of the recovery and noted it ended days of anxious searching [1]. The municipality of Salento officially acknowledged the tragic outcome, expressing deep condolences to her family [2]. The terrain around Palestina includes numerous natural trails, often visited by tourists.
last known movements
Marlies Genz, aged 41, left her accommodation at the Coffee Tree Boutique Hostel in Salento on Monday, 25 May, at around 13:00 local time. She intended to join a scheduled coffee plantation tour at Finca El Ocaso, roughly one hour away by foot. According to friends monitoring her digital activity, she stopped responding to messages shortly after departure [3]. Her absence at the pre-booked tour raised immediate concerns among contacts both locally and in the Netherlands [1]. Fellow travelers described her as highly organized and reliable, making her sudden silence alarming [4].
official responses and investigation
While the Colombian municipal government of Salento identified the deceased as Genz through official social media channels, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs refrained from formal confirmation pending forensic verification [2]. The ministry confirmed providing consular assistance to the bereaved family and deployed a Dutch diplomat to coordinate closely with local authorities [3]. Forensic analysis is currently underway under the supervision of regional officials led by the Department of Internal Affairs of Quindío [2]. Authorities urge the public against speculation and emphasize reliance on verified updates through official communication channels [2].
community reaction and tributes
Friends and residents of Schagen, North Holland—Genz’s hometown—expressed shock and sorrow online following news reports. One acquaintance wrote on Facebook of the disbelief surrounding such a loss during what was meant to be a dream journey through Colombia’s green landscapes and coffee fields [4]. Another friend lamented the surreal pain of never welcoming her back home to share travel stories [2]. Social media tributes highlighted her adventurous spirit and thorough trip preparations [3]. The Quindío community also mourned, referring to the event as a tragedy casting a shadow over their region [1].