Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
Spanish authorities have investigated a case of tragic gender-based violence that resulted in the death of a 33-year old British woman on Saturday morning. The victim’s Spanish ex-partner is currently in police custody after he turned himself in.
Details of the incident
The incident happened around 11.40am, January 24, at a residence in La Paca, which is located on the eastside of the city. Alhaurín el Grande. According to emergency services (112, Andalusia), it was reported that the victim had appeared outside the house, pleading for help. She eventually succumbed to her injuries.
The neighbours, who were alerted to the calls for assistance, called emergency services. A neighbour or relative entered the house and found the woman in a pool on the floor with visible neck wounds. The investigators have found a kitchen blade, which is believed to be the murder tool, at the scene.
The background of the suspect and the legal background
The alleged murderer fled the scene initially but surrendered shortly after at the Alhaurín de la Torre provincial prison.
Disturbingly, the victim was already registered in the VioGén system (Spain’s comprehensive monitoring system for gender-based violence). The case had been classified “low risk” while it was still active. The suspect, according to reports, was also subject to court ordered restraining order that prohibited him from approaching or contacting the victim during the attack.
The impact on family
Three young children were present in the house when the attack occurred. The children’s involvement in the crime has yet to be confirmed. Medical emergency teams (061) arrived quickly on the scene but were not able to revive the victim, declaring her dead in the home.
Investigation ongoing
Guardia Civil took charge of the inquiry to find out the details of the event. This case, if confirmed to be a gender-based murder, would add another tragic chapter to the statistics on domestic violence in Spain. It would also raise further questions about the effectiveness of the protection systems for victims classified as “low risk.”
The terrible occurrence is the latest in a month of tragedy in Alhaurín el Grande following a house fire on Christmas Day which took the lives of two teenagers, and a flash flood which killed two middle-aged men.
