A man is in custody after a fatal assault in Empuriabrava (Alt Empordà), where a German national was arrested in connection with the murder of a German woman who lived in a house overlooking one of the town’s sea canals. The Mossos d’Esquadra reported that the suspect, who had traveled to Spain during a personal journey toward the Camino de Santiago, had only been in the area for a few days before the incident. According to the interview given to investigators, the man described spending several hours in the vicinity before entering the residence and killing the victim in what authorities described as a deliberate act of violence.
The victim slept on the upper floor of the residence, which features access to a canal-facing area. Her husband, who had gone to dinner with a friend, was away at the time. Around two in the afternoon, the assailant allegedly slipped into the home, used a pillow to approach the room where the woman rested, and applied a pillow to her head in an attempt to muffle any sounds, followed by the use of a firearm to end her life. The court record shows no signs of immediate resistance or a struggle that might indicate a prior quarrel between the two, and there is no evidence that the two individuals knew each other before the incident. — Mossos d’Esquadra.
Afterward, the killer seized the opportunity to escape with the keys to a trailer belonging to the victim and her husband. The vehicle, equipped with GPS, subsequently helped map the suspect’s route. A joint operation by national and regional police forces led to the vehicle being stopped as it approached regional borders, with authorities aiming to prevent a possible cross-border flight. — National Police agents, alerted by Mossos d’Esquadra.
A search of the trailer uncovered a 9mm parabellum pistol, which investigators believe may have been the murder weapon. The suspect later stated that he had served in the military, was separated from his family, and had borrowed the firearm from a brother. The discovery of the weapon was a crucial element in the ongoing investigation, and authorities emphasized the need to corroborate the suspect’s statements with additional evidence collected at the scene. — Mossos d’Esquadra and partners.
Following the weekend detainment, the case was placed before Figueres’s No. 1 Court. The court ordered the suspect to remain in custody as prosecutors prepared to present further details, including a statement that the investigation team said did not fully explain the motive behind the killing. The proceedings continued as investigators pursued additional lines of inquiry to determine the sequence of events leading up to the tragedy. — Prosecution and courtroom records.
During the course of the inquiry, authorities noted that there had been no reported prior conflicts between the victim and the suspect, and there had been no known relationship between the two individuals prior to the incident. Investigators emphasized the lack of a verified connection between the two parties, which has shaped the direction of the inquiry as officers review surveillance footage, trace the suspect’s movements, and cross-check testimonies from witnesses in the area. The ongoing review aims to establish a precise timeline of events and to determine how the suspect entered the home so confidently, as well as how the getaway was planned and executed. — Investigative notes from the Mossos d’Esquadra.
The case has drawn attention to the rapid-response capabilities of regional police, the collaboration with national authorities, and the challenges involved in solving violent crimes that occur in tourist zones. Authorities continue to pursue all plausible leads, including a thorough analysis of forensics, ballistic evidence, and digital traces from the vehicle’s GPS system and any nearby cameras. The objective remains to provide a clear account of the incident, support the victim’s family, and ensure that justice is served through a transparent and accountable judicial process. — Law enforcement briefing and case updates.