British Woman Murdered in Malaga, Ex-Partner Arrested in Suspected Gender-Based Violence Case

Tragic Incident in Alhaurín el Grande

A 33-year-old British woman, identified as Victoria, was tragically murdered in Alhaurín el Grande, Malaga, on Saturday, January 24. The incident occurred around 11:40 AM on Calle Tomillo. Emergency services, including paramedics, responded to the scene but were unable to save her life, and she was pronounced dead at the location.

Ex-Partner Arrested After Surrender

The alleged perpetrator, the victim's ex-partner, a Spanish national identified as Juan A. R., has been arrested in connection with the murder. Reports indicate that the suspect fled the scene following the incident but later surrendered to guards at Alhaurín de la Torre prison. He reportedly confessed, stating, 'Arrest me, I have done something very bad,' and claimed he had 'lost his mind' after stabbing his ex-partner. The suspect is understood to be a former semi-professional footballer.

Gender-Based Violence Investigation and Prior Concerns

The murder is being investigated as a suspected case of gender-based violence. The victim was a mother of three young children – an 11-year-old boy and twin 7-year-old girls – who were reportedly in the house at the time of the attack. The relationship between Victoria and her ex-partner was described as complicated, and they were in the process of separating.

Significantly, Victoria was registered on the VioGen system (Sistema de Seguimiento Integral en los casos de Violencia de Género), Spain's comprehensive monitoring system for gender violence cases. Despite having active judicial protection measures, which included a restraining order and a ban on communication, her risk level had been classified as 'low'. Friends of the victim reported that the suspect had been harassing her, sending numerous messages the night before the murder while she was out with friends.

Broader Context of Gender Violence in Spain

If confirmed as a gender-based murder, this would mark the first such killing in Malaga province this year and the fifth in Spain since the beginning of 2026. Authorities continue to process the scene, where the victim was found in a pool of blood with a kitchen knife nearby, believed to be the murder weapon. The case underscores ongoing concerns regarding the efficacy of protection measures for victims of gender-based violence.