A 43-year-old woman and her 10-year-old daughter were at home in Madrid when the partner, Count Atares and Perijá Marquis, killed them and a 70-year-old friend before taking his own life. The case cannot be prosecuted against him due to his death.
The Government Delegation Against Gender-Based Violence marked a significant milestone this Wednesday, noting the twentieth anniversary of the year 2022 and the 1,150th reported case in statistics on intimate femicides since data collection began in 2003.
The murdered friend, whose name has not been released, will not appear in this year’s statistics but will be included in the wider list compiled by the Ministry of Equality. The first data release from that broader dataset is scheduled for July.
There had been no prior complaints of gender-based violence against the aggressor, Fernando González de Castejón. In 2018, he was briefly arrested for mistreatment after an assault witnessed on the street by his wife. The victim chose not to file charges or testify against him.
In 2009, his mother and sister filed a formal complaint and authorities issued a restraining order, while the home contained a range of weapons without proper license, including knives, automatic blades, shotguns, and other implements.
The murder left a 10-year-old girl an orphan. Since 2013, a total of 19 children have lost their mothers to gender-based violence across the year, with the year’s total reaching 356 such victims.
Another act of gender-based violence in Madrid underscores the reality that such crimes occur daily, and denial persists in some circles.
There is no room for nuance: this is among the most serious and urgent problems facing society, and only through resolute action and unity can it be stopped. A public message of solidarity was shared with the victim’s family.
The head of government condemned continued rejection of gender-based violence despite the evident tragedies, emphasizing the need for clear, collective effort to address the issue.
Equality Minister Irene Montero highlighted that the daughter of the murdered woman is also a direct victim of sexist violence, and therefore all resources for compensation and support should be available to her and her family.
ask for help
Support services exist to assist victims of all forms of violence against women. There are confidential, no-cost resources available in multiple languages and meet on various platforms. Information can be provided through appropriate channels, with professional guidance available across different formats. Minors have access to child-centered support hotlines designed to ensure safety and care. All resources aimed at combating gender-based violence remain accessible to those in need.