A disturbing incident suggesting indirect violence emerged from Barcelona, where a man was found deceased in a residence in the Horta district, alongside two boys aged seven and ten. The mother, who was separated from the deceased, reportedly refused to take custody of the children after the Three Kings celebration and would not deliver them to school the next day either.
Mossos d’Esquadra officers arrived at the home near Paseo Universal de Horta and detected a strong gas odor. They alerted the city fire department, which forced entry into the apartment. Police sources cited by media indicate the bodies of the father and the two children were inside. Initial assessments point to the father’s suicide and harm to the children, though investigators are keeping other possibilities open as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Multiple patrols sealed off the area while the Criminal Investigation Division of the Mossos took charge of the case. Forensic teams were brought in to gather evidence that could explain the father’s alleged suicide, including whether doors and windows had been closed to trap gas inside. Autopsies on the children are necessary to determine their causes of death. A judicial team arrived at the scene, and the presiding judge ordered the bodies removed on Monday night.
The scene was secured with the help of four advanced support units, a team of psychologists from the Medical Emergency Service, several fire brigades, and the city police. Healthcare professionals were also on hand to support the relatives of the minors.
Other cases of indirect violence
On Monday, following news of a recent sexist crime in Barcelona at the end of 2023, the Office for Equality and Feminism reminded the public that eight children were orphaned in Catalonia last year due to gender-based violence. Beyond direct acts, indirect violence affects many families, especially minors who lose parents to such conflicts during or after separations.
The most recent instance of indirect violence in Barcelona before this week occurred on August 24, 2021. A man killed his two-year-old son in a hotel on Parallel Avenue while his relationship with the mother was deteriorating. The man, amid a separation, had taken the child for a walk and did not return. Hours later, the mother reported threats to police, and the boy’s body was found in the hotel room under a bed. The father fled to a nearby roof, and a significant search followed. Two weeks later, authorities found the suspect dead in a difficult-to-access forested area near Prat airport, having apparently hanged himself with a belt after the tragedy.
Investigators noted that a taxi had delivered the suspect to the location, but instead of boarding a plane, he drove to the area and ended his own life. The case highlighted the tragic link between child deaths and parental disputes tied to separation or custody battles.
Trends in fatal outcomes and statistics
There have been notable losses involving children in Barcelona as authorities assess whether recent incidents constitute a pattern of indirect violence. Earlier publicly reported cases place the tally in a broader context: in Spain since 2013, fifty such deaths have been recorded, with parental figures or partners often involved. The majority of perpetrators were parents of minors or current or former partners of the other parent. In many cases, there were prior complaints against the abusers, underscoring the importance of vigilant reporting and protective measures for children in fragile family dynamics. Nearly half of the offenders ultimately took their own lives, complicating attempts at legal accountability.
When a tragedy is classified as indirect violence, it underscores the ripple effects on families and communities, particularly the impact on surviving relatives and the ongoing processes of investigation, support, and justice. While confirmation is pending in recent Barcelona events, authorities continue to stress awareness, intervention, and safeguarding for children amid family conflicts.
Ultimately, these cases remind communities that protecting minors requires coordinated action among law enforcement, social services, and mental health professionals. In instances of suspected gender-based violence, early intervention and robust support networks can prevent the escalation of conflict and protect vulnerable family members from harm. The ongoing efforts by local authorities aim to ensure thorough investigations, accurate findings, and compassionate assistance for those affected by these distressing events. [Citation: Mossos d’Esquadra; Office for Equality and Feminism; local health and safety agencies]