In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the National Police moved to arrest a 79-year-old man accused of killing his 90-year-old aunt after a dispute escalated into violence and a fire. The incident unfolded in a residence located in the San Roque neighborhood, triggering an emergency response when smoke and flames drew the attention of nearby residents.
The authorities announced that the death had occurred days earlier, based on information provided by sources close to the case. The elderly woman and her nephew are said to have argued, after which the younger woman allegedly attacked her aunt. Reports indicate the suspect attempted to conceal the crime by constructing a makeshift cremation setup using blocks and wood with the aim of disposing of the body.
As the fire intensified, heavy smoke prompted calls to the Emergency and Safety Coordination Center (Cecoes) 112, leading to the dispatch of the fire brigade and police units to the scene.
suspicion of kin
On the day prior to the arrest, a close relative of the suspect reportedly admitted to knowing about the planned crime. According to Europa Press, the relative visited the young man on Saturday, May 7, but was refused entry by the resident. The family member returned the following day, May 8, yet access remained blocked, raising alarm and prompting the family member to alert the National Police, who then attended the home and discovered signs of violent death.
When authorities entered the house, they found the body of an elderly woman with signs that violence had occurred. The niece who shared the residence with her aunt confessed to having ended the life of the 90-year-old woman at the Córdoba street police station, and officers immediately began the arrest process for the alleged homicide.
The suspect is expected to face a local court on Wednesday, May 11. An autopsy was scheduled for the following day to confirm the precise cause of death.
Authorities continue to gather details to establish the sequence of events, the motive behind the crime, and the exact circumstances surrounding the early fire and the attempt to conceal it. Investigations are ongoing to determine how the suspect planned and executed the act and whether others were involved. Sources cited indicate that the case remains under close review by police investigators and judicial authorities, with the aim of delivering a clear account of what occurred and ensuring proper legal proceedings are followed.