FBI Offers Reward Information on South Florida Woman’s Remains
Federal investigators are intensifying efforts in a cross-border homicide case that has stretched from South Florida to Spain and across much of Europe. The FBI is now offering up to $25,000 for information leading to the recovery of the remains of Ana Maria Henao Knezevic, a 40-year-old woman who vanished in Madrid in February 2024 and is believed to have been killed by her estranged husband.
A Disappearance That Quickly Turned Into a Murder Investigation
Henao Knezevic, a Colombian-born U.S. citizen who had been living in Fort Lauderdale, was reported missing on February 4, 2024. Investigators believe she was killed roughly two days earlier while staying in her Madrid apartment during a contentious divorce. Surveillance footage became central to the case. Authorities say a man believed to be her husband, David Knezevich, entered the building wearing a motorcycle helmet and reflective vest. He then spray-painted over the only security camera before later exiting with what investigators believe was a rolling suitcase carrying her body. She has not been seen since.
A Calculated International Route
Investigators allege Knezevich meticulously planned the crime and its aftermath. He rented a vehicle in Serbia and drove across multiple European countries to reach Spain, allegedly stealing license plates along the way to obscure his movements. After the suspected killing, authorities believe he transported her remains out of Spain, traveling back toward Serbia through countries including France, Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. The FBI now believes her remains may have been discarded somewhere along that route, dramatically expanding the geographic scope of the search.
Suspect Arrested, Then Found Dead
Knezevich was arrested in May 2024 at Miami International Airport after returning from Europe and was held without bond on charges tied to kidnapping resulting in death and the murder of a U.S. citizen abroad. Before the case could go to trial, he was found dead in jail. Authorities have indicated his death was a suicide, effectively ending the possibility of prosecution but not the investigation.
Why the FBI Is Still Pushing Forward
Despite the suspect’s death, federal officials have made clear the case remains active. The primary objective now is recovery and closure. “The FBI does not quit on a case just because the subject… may be deceased.” For the victim’s family, the absence of remains has prolonged the trauma. Her brother has publicly thanked investigators for continuing the search, emphasizing the emotional toll and the broader issue of violence against women.
A South Florida Case With Global Implications
This case underscores how domestic disputes can escalate into international crimes, requiring coordination across multiple countries and law enforcement agencies. From Fort Lauderdale to Madrid and across Europe’s highways, investigators are chasing fragments of a crime that crossed borders with chilling precision. The FBI is urging anyone with information, particularly those who may have encountered suspicious activity along the suspect’s travel route, to come forward. Even a small detail could help locate Henao Knezevic’s remains and bring long-awaited closure to her family.
