Signos de estrangulamiento
In the late evening hours, just before ten, city police were called to a residence in the Olivereta district after reports of a family fight between two siblings. The scene unfolded in a second-floor apartment on Calle Brasil in Valencia, where tensions had escalated over time, culminating in a violent confrontation.
Maria, a 61-year-old who suffered from a serious illness, lived in fear of her brother Manuel, aged 53, who had a violent and domineering temperament. After a period of living apart, they had recently resumed cohabitation in the family home. Maria would lock herself in her room at night to sleep with a sense of security, sounds echoing through the walls as she sought to reclaim some quiet in a troubling situation.
Neighbor concerns about their constant disputes had previously prompted police intervention on several occasions. Yet on this particular night, it was not the usual distress call that summoned officers. A friend of Maria became alarmed after noticing the pattern of threats and fear and alerted the authorities, believing the danger to be imminent.
Maria herself had called a friend during a heated exchange with her brother, leaving the line open. What she heard on the other end stirred deep worry, prompting the friend to contact another mutual friend, who then informed the 091 command center about the ongoing fight between the siblings.
When officers arrived, Manuel initially withheld the details of what had happened. As investigators entered the home, they discovered a bedroom door shut and locked, located in a corner of the apartment. The authorities secured the scene and entrusted the key to the occupant, after which they found Maria lying lifeless on the floor beside the bed.
Initial indications suggested that the alleged fratricide involved strangulation with a pendant that Maria wore around her neck to hold her keys. The room contained various personal items and memorabilia, including bicycles trophies that seemed to date back to the suspect’s younger years, along with numerous framed pictures on the walls.
Police participation included a number of patrols, the homicide squad from the National Police, and scientific officers who conducted a thorough technical-police inspection of the crime scene. The apartment was left as is after investigators collected evidence, including the fabric pendant that appeared to function as a possible weapon of harm.
Some changes to the case and the court’s role
The property did not receive a formal cordon at the time because the investigators believed they had already recovered all potential evidence associated with the crime. This included the pendant and the other items that could link the suspect to the act. The Judicial Commission assigned to the case from Valencia’s Court of Instruction Number 15, acting as guardia, proceeded in the early hours of the morning to remove the body from the scene for autopsy at the Valencia Institute of Legal Medicine, where the examination was conducted to determine the cause of death and collect additional forensic data.
Reports note that the suspect had previously held a protective order against his sister, though that measure had expired. Neighbors recalled that it had been roughly a year since they last saw him at or near the apartment. Some accounts describe the suspect appearing unsteady as he was taken to the patrol car, an observation that will likely be examined in conjunction with toxicology results to assess whether alcohol or any substance may have influenced his actions at the time of the incident.
In the coming days, authorities and prosecutors will examine all aspects of the case to determine precise charges and pursue accountability in accordance with the law. The investigation will continue to unfold as forensic findings, witness statements, and official records provide a fuller picture of the events that led to this tragedy. Police continue to work to understand the sequence of events and the circumstances surrounding Maria’s death, with the aim of delivering clarity to the community and ensuring justice is served.