Alhaurin el Grande mourns with community, friends and family of British resident Victoria Hart

In Alhaurin el Grande, a minute’s silence was held today at 5pm on the square, in front of town hall, in memory British resident Victoria Hart. The mother whose life had been brutally cut off by her ex-boyfriend who killed her with a knife, Saturday, January 24, was remembered. Victoria Hart’s children were present in her house when the horrific crime was committed. The killer, allegedly Juan Antonio Rueda from Alhaurín, then drove off and handed himself in at Alhaurín de la Torre prison, less than 10 kilometres away.

The community is in a state of intense grief and sorrow

The event was attended by locals, Spanish and British, who gathered outside the town hall, next to Vera Cruz’s iconic church, in complete silence. Many were crying, as they paid their respects to Victoria’s family and the community that welcomed her into their hearts. Local Councillors and friends of Victoria, as well as students of the school where Victoria’s children attended, gathered outside of the town hall to pay their respects. They stood in silence for exactly one minute at 5pm. Some returned to the council building, unable or unwilling to control their intense grief. The children let go at 5.01pm of the 100 balloons that they were holding. They floated off into the cloudy, white sky, slowly disappearing.

Victoria is a popular and much-loved Victoria

Alhaurin el Grande village, located in the Guadalhorce valley of Malaga Province has been in a deep state of shock and sadness since Saturday. The village is largely silent, unable to express their sorrow and anger at this senseless tragedy. Alhaurin el Grande was known in the past for its warm welcome of expats. Especially, the British and Germans. Victoria Hart, a beloved and popular adopted child, died this weekend in the village.

Unparalleled tragedy

In the past four weeks, the village on a mountainside has experienced a level of tragedy that is utterly out of balance. Two teenagers died in a fire that started on Christmas Day due to an electrical fault. Alhaurin was unable to explain the senseless death of two men in a flash-flood a few weeks later.

Help Victoria’s Family: Campaign

Victoria’s Friends has established a GoFundMe Victoria’s Family Campaign. Maxine Hill who is running the campaign said, “Victoria was born for her children. She fought with all she had for them, and they became her entire world. Now, those children face a future that is without her protection, love and care. Victoria’s family must cover the immediate costs of the children until everything is resolved and the official support is available. The family is responsible for the immediate needs of the children, including food, clothing and utilities. All funds will be raised to help Victoria’s kids while the rest and especially Victoria’s mom are able come to grips with what happened.

You can find out more about the campaign and how to donate at gofundme.com/f/victoria-hart.