The national police arrested a 68-year-old man, who is now held in temporary detention as the primary suspect. He stands accused of abandoning his 67-year-old wife, who has multiple sclerosis, leading to her death after she fell at their home in Madrid’s Puente de Vallecas district. She reportedly did not receive help or medication for five days while she was unable to move.
The Government Delegation Against Gender Violence confirmed on Wednesday that the crime is rooted in gender-based violence. As this year progresses, the tally of women killed in acts linked to male aggression stands at 40, and since records began in 2003, it has reached 1,173.
The alleged killer himself contacted emergency services last Sunday, the fourth day since the fall, when the victim died. Responding officers found the woman in distressing circumstances, and the suspect claimed he did not assist when she asked for help.
Sources from the Madrid office of the Government Delegation told EFE that the victim and her daughter had previously filed complaints alleging mistreatment and threats.
When the body was found, the National Police continued to hold the man on suspicion of neglecting his duty to assist.
The man told officers that his wife begged him not to help after she fell five days earlier. Police sources indicated that up to her death he did not provide medication for her neurological condition or offer proper care.
A Madrid judge has issued a provisional arrest warrant for the detainee, who now faces murder charges in court.
Support services for victims of sexist violence operate around the clock in many languages, offering confidential help to those in need. For youths, specialized organizations provide guidance and resources to ensure safety and support.
In emergencies, the public can contact emergency services or use location-based apps to alert authorities when phone calls are not possible. The aim is to guarantee rapid assistance and to document the incident for ongoing investigations.