The national police are looking into a case of gender-based violence following the death of a 32-year-old woman in Palencia. Her partner, aged 36, is under investigation after the fatal incident, which ended as he took his own life by throwing himself onto train tracks. This sequence marks the third confirmed case of sexist murder in Spain within a 24-hour period.
Authorities located the woman at a residence on Avenida de los Reyes Católicos in Palencia after responding to information tied to the man named on the woman’s documents. Investigators from the national police reported to the press agency EFE that officers were dispatched to the address listed on the man’s DNI to notify and confirm the victim’s death.
Two children, aged 2 and 7, were present in the home at the time. Police arrived to find the woman seemingly lifeless in a bedroom, with signs around the neck suggesting possible strangulation or other trauma. The exact cause of death will be clarified by autopsy results, which are still pending and will determine whether drowning or another factor contributed to her injuries. The scene underscores the gravity and urgency of addressing violence against women in domestic settings.
National Police investigators continue to gather details to clarify the sequence of events. The visit to the Palencia address involved interactions with relatives and neighbors, who are assisting the inquiry as officers assess how the tragedy unfolded and whether there were prior warning signs or reports that could shed light on the case.
Officials from the Government Delegation Against Gender-Based Violence posted a statement on social media noting that data collection is ongoing and stressing the seriousness of femicide when a death is linked to gender-based violence. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to documenting these cases and supporting victims and families as part of a broader, ongoing effort to combat violence against women in Spain. (attribution: Government Delegation Against Gender-Based Violence)
If this case is confirmed as a case of sexist violence in Palencia, it will constitute the third known murder of this type in Spain within a twenty-four hour window, highlighting a troubling surge in such incidents recently. The police continue to examine all angles and ensure proper follow-up with relevant authorities as investigations proceed. (attribution: National Police)
The national police are also looking into another death in Benidorm, Alicante, where officers went to a residence to deliver the news of a woman’s death following a prior incident. In this other matter, a 73-year-old partner was involved, connected to a separate traffic accident scenario. (attribution: National Police)
In a separate development, authorities say a 40-year-old man was taken into custody after investigators discovered the remains of a woman who had been reported missing in March in Málaga. The man reportedly confessed to killing his partner and burying the body beneath concrete in an industrial warehouse setting, a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the community and prompted renewed scrutiny of missing-person cases in the region. (attribution: National Police)
Thus far this year, the Government Delegation Against Gender-Based Violence reports that thirty cases of femicide have been recorded, with the most recent three cases still under investigation as the year continues. Alongside these figures, authorities are tracking others who have died at the hands of current or former partners since the nationwide counting began in 2003, a tally that has climbed to 1,163. (attribution: Government Delegation Against Gender-Based Violence)
Historical context shows that the number of confirmed sexist murders within the last 22 days includes more than twenty cases that have left children orphaned under the age of 18 in 2022 alone. The state and regional agencies remain focused on prevention, swift investigation, and support services for families affected by gender-based violence, while continuing to monitor and report new developments as they arise. (attribution: Government Delegation Against Gender-Based Violence)