Murder in Ecuador: The Polish Activist, the Missing Files and the Albanian Mafia

The coastal resort town of Montanita, on Ecuador's Santa Elena Peninsula, attracts surf enthusiasts from all over the world. In 2018, Monika Silva-Koniuszek moved to this tranquil oasis, a popular destination for backpackers. Planning to make a living through tourism, Silva-Koniuszek opened a hostel, but soon became deeply involved in the life of the town. When the Covid pandemic struck, she distributed food parcels and face masks to local residents. She also took part in environmental campaigns aimed at protecting local beaches from the encroachment of property developers, advocating for the preservation of sea turtles, mangroves and the natural landscape.