Tragic events unfolded last Sunday in Antella, where a woman was killed by her ex-husband. The victims, including the eldest daughter, faced access issues at their home after the incident as owners denied entry and changed the locks. Legal safeguards protect minors and victims from eviction in such cases, and the community notes that family protections and gender-violence safeguards should shield those vulnerable from being displaced during investigations.
The family endured a devastating loss that shifted into a broader struggle for stability. The eldest daughter, Ilham Najah, is now 18 and recently returned home. She does not yet have employment but is determined to care for her siblings and keep the household together in the wake of the tragedy, balancing responsibility with the need to navigate a harsh new reality.
Locals refer to a grieving figure known as Maria, who once tended three children: an 18-year-old daughter and two sons aged 16 and 12. Those three youths were present at the home when the fatal violence occurred last Sunday, underscoring the collateral impact on young lives and the ongoing remembrance of their mother, who was killed six days ago by her former partner.
When questions arose about access to the apartment, one flat owner said he allowed the family to retrieve belongings but did not permit residence. Even though rent had been paid, the situation sparked a legal reminder: eviction requires a court process with proper notice; self-help measures or removing household items are not legitimate tactics to influence tenancy during a crisis of this gravity.
Yesterday morning, the Alzira court overseeing the case returned the house keys and the mother’s belongings to Ilham’s eldest daughter. Police teams conducted a thorough search of the home to gather evidence and trace the incident, with the Civil Guard Judicial Police Unit present to document findings related to the homicide and its aftermath.
Ilham’s eldest daughter shared details with this publication: the 12-year-old brother remains with a neighbor who has acted as a temporary family figure, while the middle brother stayed briefly with a friend of their mother. The family fears prolonged separation, especially for the younger siblings who still rely on close support networks during such upheaval.
Social services proposed placement in reception centers to ensure ongoing care, but the daughter emphasized a wish to stay together as a unit. The town mayor acknowledged the private nature of the dispute between the minors and the former partner’s household, explaining that there was little public information available on the private matter at hand, and that authorities are focusing on the safety and welfare of the children involved.
A local ally who assisted the family through the process of transporting Ilham’s body back to Morocco noted that relatives outside Valencia have offered support, signaling a broader community effort to help during this difficult time and to stand with the family rather than abandon them.
Vicente stabbed him to death
The brutal act of violence last Sunday in Antella sent shock waves through the Valencian community, especially among residents of the riverside town and nearby Rocafort. Vicente FQ, aged 53, carried out the fatal stabbing of his ex-partner Ilham Najah, aged 38, inside her home while their youngest son was in the house with them. The couple had a history of separation, and Ilham had chosen to move to Antella to care for an elderly relative and to build a life apart from the partner’s influence.
On the day of the tragedy, Ilham spent Sunday at home with her son; Vicente F. allegedly arrived with the intent to end her life and attacked her with a knife. The incident marks the end of a decade-long relationship and a complex family dynamic, with the 12-year-old boy present in the home at the time of the attack. The case remains under investigation by local authorities who are piecing together the timeline and motive as evidence is collected from the scene. [Attribution: Local authorities and regional press reports]”}