A 48-year-old man has been arrested after walking into a Guardia Civil station and confesses to strangling his wife following an argument yesterday morning, Tuesday 2nd June, in Callosa de Segura. The Guardia Civil and the Government Delegation against Gender Violence are investigating the murder as a case of gender-based crime.
The suspected homicide took place at the home where the couple lived together. Both the husband and the wife are Spanish nationals from Callosa de Segura and are aged 48. Authorities confirmed that there were no active or past complaints registered between the couple. However, the husband has a history of complaints involving two previous partners, while the victim had been registered as a victim of violence with a different previous partner. The suspect also holds a criminal record for assault and robbery with intimidation, for which he has previously served time in prison. The couple did not have any children together, and no minors resided at the property.
The investigation into the murder is currently being handled by the specialist Women and Minors Team (EMUME) of the Guardia Civil.
The tragedy has caused widespread shock and consternation across the municipality. The Mayor of Callosa de Segura, Amparo Serrano, has signed an official decree establishing three days of mourning. As part of the decree, flags will fly at half-mast on all municipal buildings, and scheduled festive events have been suspended. A minute of silence has been called for 7:30 pm at the entrance of the Town Hall to show respect, mourning, and condemnation of gender violence.
Mayor Serrano expressed a unanimous message of rejection against the crime, stating that the local administration strongly condemns the terrible act and offers its full support and solidarity to the family of the victim. She also reaffirmed the institution’s firm commitment to eradicating gender violence and protecting victims.
Statistics indicate that 22 women have been murdered by their partners or ex-partners so far this year, bringing the total to 1,363 women since official records began in 2003.
