An alleged copycat killer strangled his wife then sent a photo of her body to her sister via WhatsApp.

The 29-year-old suspect used the free smartphone messaging service to confess what he had done to his victim’s relatives.

The picture showed Melissa Zuniga lying on the bed, face up, with a message in which the suspect is said to have apologised for the killing.

Zuniga, 27, was strangled at the home she shared with her husband – known only by his surname Macotelo – in Huacas, 120 miles north-west of the capital San Jose.

In a separate message, Macotelo informed Zuniga’s family of his whereabouts and police arrested him, according to news reports in Costa Rica.