Chilling last photo of woman trapped in 'bomb collar' that 'almost decapitated her'

A haunting photograph captures the final moments of a dairy farmer trapped in a horrific ‘bomb collar’ and the bomb disposal specialist working desperately to save her. The image, which recently resurfaced on social media platform Reddit, depicts what authorities characterized as “an extremely sophisticated device with three detonation mechanisms” secured around 53 year old Elvia Cortés Gil de Pachon’s neck.

Armed assailants invaded the victim’s residence just outside Chiquinquira, Colombia, on May 15, 2000, and affixed the explosive collar around her neck with adhesive. Before departing, they left a recorded message demanding a ransom of approximately $7,500 (around £5,600, equivalent to nearly £11,000 today).

The chilling message warned that the “almost impossible to deactivate” device would be triggered if the payment was not delivered. Drug cartels and terror groups have industrialised extortion throughout south and central America, with a leading business figure shot dead just this week after speaking out against the practise.

Thousands of Colombians tuned into live radio broadcasts as police bomb disposal experts fought to save Elvia’s life. In reports, the perpetrators were identified as terrorists from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) organization, which had conducted similar extortion operations previously.

Following alerts from Elvia’s neighbors to law enforcement, she was transported to a remote section of roadway where Colombian army bomb disposal specialists worked for approximately six hours attempting to neutralize the device. Tragically, attempts to defuse the device proved unsuccessful, and it exploded at approximately 1pm.

Army Lieutenant Colonel Fabio Roa informed reporters that Elvia had been “practically decapitated” by the blast. Police bomb disposal technician Jairo Lopez also lost his life in the explosion, one soldier was left without three fingers and part of his forearm, while another sustained severe shrapnel wounds.

Elvia’s relatives were present when the bomb went off, and were seen in the immediate aftermath tearfully attempting to hold back bystanders from the scene.

In the wake of the tragedy, Colombian President Andres Pastrana swiftly called off scheduled peace negotiations with FARC representatives. “The men of violence have placed a necklace of dynamite … around the hope of all Colombians,” he stated.

He further declared: “The FARC’s attitude must change, Forty million Colombians who want peace are demanding that change. I demand this (rebel group) demonstrate … its will for peace.”

Armed forces chief Gen. Fernando Tapias revealed that FARC rebels had fastened the “necklace” of PVC pipe packed with dynamite around Elvia’s neck in order to compel her husband to hand over a ransom the guerrillas referred to as a “war tax.”

An army spokesperson disclosed to reporters that Elvia had been specifically targeted for the “atrocious experiment” after she had recently ceased paying extortion money. FARC had previously threatened to levy a “wealth tax” on individuals or businesses valued at more than $1m (£625,000 at the time).

Nevertheless, FARC denied any involvement in the incident. The group’s Ivan Rios maintained that no FARC fighters had participated in the attack.

“We had nothing to do with this condemnable act,” he told Radionet Radio. Group spokesman Raul Reyes further argued there was no justification for abandoning the peace talks.

“We’re asking the government to commit itself to . . . not make these unilateral decisions.”

Colombian newspaper columnist Abdon Espinosa wrote in the respected publication El Tiempo: “The idea of procuring peace in the midst of war has led us to tolerate and almost legitimise the worst abuses,” adding “Whether or not the FARC is responsible for the torture and death of Elvia Cortes, a re-framing of the peace process is called for.”