Else Beekman
A man has been arrested in Benalmádena Pueblo, Málaga, following the death of his wife in a house fire that occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning. The police found the victim, a 48-year-old Spanish woman, lifeless inside the property, while the couple’s children identified their father as the perpetrator.
The National Police have taken over the investigation, leaving all hypotheses open as they work to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
Early morning emergency call
The events unfolded in a residential area on Calle Álamos. At approximately 5.00 am, neighbours reported hearing a violent argument from within the house. Shortly after, emergency services received multiple calls about a raging fire at the same location. Among these calls was one from the suspect himself, a 42-year-old Nigerian man, who informed authorities that his home was on fire.
Emergency services, including local police, firefighters, and paramedics, rushed to the scene. When officers arrived, they found the man and his children outside the burning house. Some reports indicate that police had to rescue three of the children from the property. It was then that the children told officers their mother was still inside and accused their father of killing her.
Investigation underway
Upon entering the house, police discovered the woman’s body, but it was too late to save her. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of death, as they await the results of the autopsy at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Málaga. Preliminary evidence, however, suggests a possible case of domestic violence, with investigators considering the possibility that the suspect set the fire deliberately to destroy evidence.
Community in shock
The tragic event has sent shockwaves through the local community. The former mayor of Benalmádena, Víctor Navas, expressed his sorrow on social media, revealing that the victim was named Lina. “We are still in shock,” he wrote. “She was a beloved and hardworking woman. May she rest in peace. Damn gender violence. My heart goes out to her poor family.”
Awaiting further developments
The police have detained the suspect, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities are working to determine whether this is a confirmed case of gender-based violence, a crime that has tragically claimed the lives of many women across Spain. The autopsy results will be crucial for the police to establish the cause of death and whether the fire was intentionally started.
Gender-based violence in Spain
Gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue in Spain. In 2023, the number of female victims of gender violence rose by 12.1% to 36,582, equating to a rate of 1.7 victims per 1,000 women aged 14 and over. Domestic violence cases also saw a 12% increase, with women comprising the vast majority of victims. Since 2003, more than 1,290 women have lost their lives to intimate partner femicide, highlighting the persistent dangers many face.
Authorities continue to take action, granting over 27,000 protection orders to victims of gender violence in 2022. However, despite over 85,000 reports of gender violence against women that year, authorities prosecuted only 33,209 perpetrators, and just 24,124 received prison sentences. The statistics underscore both the progress made and the challenges that remain in ensuring justice and protection for victims across Spain.