A 40-year-old man was halted by the National Police after investigators uncovered the body of a woman in Malaga. He admitted to police that he had killed his partner and buried the body beneath concrete in an industrial building.
The victim, Debora Morais, was 39 years old and had been missing since March. Police sources told EFE that the detainee, a Spanish national, will remain at the Malaga Provincial Police Station for several hours before appearing in court. The case has drawn considerable attention as authorities work to establish the full chronology of events leading to the discovery.
The deceased woman’s remains were located in a warehouse within the La Estrella industrial estate in the city of Malaga. Investigators reported that the body had been buried under concrete, a detail that has intensified the gravity of the case and the urgency of the ongoing inquiry.
Throughout the investigation, sources close to the case told EFE that Debora Morais had previously filed a criminal complaint against her husband in 2012, alleging sexist violence. The complaint at that time did not lead to precautionary measures, and the case had remained inactive for several years. The current investigation aims to determine whether these past concerns are connected to the recent homicide, or if the violence signals a new trajectory in this complex situation.
The Government Sub-Delegation in Malaga has forwarded preliminary information about the case to the Government Gender-Based Violence Delegation. The delegation will decide on the appropriate classification of the incident as possible gender-based violence once police reports are fully prepared. Officials caution that the final assessment will depend on the completion of judicial police documentation and corroborating evidence gathered at the scene.
victim number 31
Carmen Martín, who leads the Zero Violence Women’s Exploitation Platform, told EFE that authorities are awaiting confirmation that the case qualifies as sexist violence. She indicated that all indicators so far point in that direction, though authorities will not finalize the determination until the full investigative package is reviewed. This assessment is critical as it informs protective measures for potential victims and shapes support services offered to survivors in the region.
Plans were announced to hold a demonstration the next day, September 28, to advocate for sexual rights and to condemn the death of Debora Morais. The event is also aimed at honoring all recent victims and drawing public attention to the issue of gender-based violence in the community. Community leaders say such gatherings serve as a reminder that violence against women remains a pressing problem that affects many families and neighborhoods across Spain and beyond.
If the case is officially confirmed as gender-based violence, Debora Morais would be counted as the 31st victim in Spain for the year, the ninth in Andalusia, and the total would rise to 1,161 since 2003. Authorities stress that every case is a stark reminder of the ongoing danger faced by women and the importance of robust protective measures, timely reporting, and sustained public awareness campaigns to prevent such tragedies in the future. In Malaga, local agencies continue to coordinate with national bodies to ensure that victims receive support and that perpetrators are brought to justice, with investigations progressing at a careful and methodical pace.