The body of R’ Nochum Eber z”l, of Boro Park – who was killed in Colombia – was released to his family Wednesday night after a diplomatic push by the United States Embassy in Bogotá and the State Department’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, Belaaz has learned.

Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism confirmed to Belaaz that his office worked in coordination with the American Embassy in Colombia to press local authorities to release the body. Colombian prosecutors signed off on the release late Wednesday night, and the body was transferred to the family early Thursday morning.

“The US Embassy in Colombia, together with the Office to Combat Antisemitism, worked diligently to have the body released to the family,” Kaploun said.

R’ Nochum, an American citizen, had been in Colombia at the time of his death. The circumstances of his killing remain under investigation. Kaploun said the top priority was securing Eber’s release, and rhat determining the nature of the attack was secondary. “I needed to get the body released,” he said.

Sadly, the NY Post reported that while all of R’ Nochum’s body was recovered, it was not whole.

Sources familiar with the case told Belaaz that suspicion has been raised about a possible conspiracy against R’ Nochum. The American government is treating the matter seriously given that the victim held U.S. citizenship.

“It’s an American citizen, so therefore different things change,” the official said, indicating that the victim’s status as a U.S. national has expanded the American government’s ability to be involved in the case.

Footage released Thursday shows the last time R’ Nochum was seen.

According to the NY Post, R’ Nochum was in Columbia to help advise a group of former Catholics who had converted to Judaism.

The victim’s family, community, and officials were grateful for the swift diplomatic response that made the return possible.