A 48-year-old Spanish woman, Catalina, was tragically kil!€d by her estranged Nigerian husband, Augustine, in Benalmádena, Costa del Sol, after the court denied her a restraining order, citing “medium risk,” local media reported.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, February 9, 2025, when Augustine, 42, allegedly attacked Catalina and set fire to their family home, with her body still inside.
Authorities later rescued the couple’s three children, one of whom informed the police that their father had killed their mother before starting the fire.
According to reports, Catalina, also known as Lina in her community, had previously reported Augustine to the authorities on January 20 for threatening her and raising his hand against her. She also claimed he had physically abused her in the past.
However, due to a lack of concrete evidence suggesting an immediate threat, the police classified the case as “medium risk,” leading to continued monitoring only through phone calls rather than stronger protective measures.
Lina was included in the VioGen system, Spain’s domestic violence risk assessment program, but the court denied her request for a restraining order due to contradictions in her statement
At approximately 5:25 a.m. on February 9, Augustine contacted emergency services to report a fire at Calle Álamos 27 but did not disclose that it was his former home or that he was involved.
When police arrived, they rescued the children and found Augustine outside. One of the children immediately told officers that their father had killed their mother.
Firefighters later discovered Lina’s body inside the burned two-story house. Preliminary findings suggest she had suffered knife wounds, although the official autopsy report is still pendinh
Catalina was the first recorded victim of gender-based violence in Andalucía and the second in Spain in 2025.
She had four children: a 19-year-old son from a previous marriage and three younger children, aged 11, 9, and 7, from her relationship with Augustine.
Reports indicate she had recently separated from Augustine, and local residents claimed he had been seen with a new partner. Lina’s Facebook profile had described her relationship status as “complicated.”
The regional minister for social inclusion, youth, families, and equality, Loles López, condemned the killing and confirmed that authorities had activated all necessary resources to care for the children.