Authorities in Spain have arrested a 42-year-old Nigerian man, identified as Augustine, for allegedly murd€r!ng his Spanish wife, Catalina, 48, and setting fire to their family home in Benalmádena, a town in Costa del Sol.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, February 9, 2025, around 5:25 a.m.
According to reports, the suspect initially called the 112 Andalucía emergency service, reporting a fire at a residence without revealing it was his home.
Upon arrival, local police managed to rescue the couple’s three children, all minors, and another son from Catalina’s previous relationship.
After extinguishing the fire, officers discovered Catalina’s lifeless body inside the house, bearing signs of violence. Augustine was immediately arrested as the prime suspect.
Authorities also allege that the suspect assaulted the children before setting the house ablaze.
The couple had been together for 13 years, sharing three children—the eldest being around 11 years old, along with two younger sisters.
Sources say Catalina had recently separated from Augustine, and her mother, who lived on the upper floor of the building, was also present at the time of the attack.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to uncover further details surrounding the horrific crime.