Rita Odafe
A 48-year-old Spanish woman named Catalina was reportedly killed by her estranged husband, Augustine, a 42-year-old Nigerian, in Benalmádena, Spain. Local media indicated that despite her requests for a restraining order, the court denied it, categorizing her situation as “medium risk.”
The tragic incident took place on February 9, 2025, with Augustine accused of murdering Catalina and then setting their home ablaze with her remains inside.
Following a violent altercation on January 20, Catalina, known locally as Lina, was not provided with enhanced protective measures as authorities found no definitive proof of an immediate threat to her life.
Catalina became a gender-based violence casualty, marking her as the first in Andalucía and the second in Spain for the year 2025.
While an autopsy has yet to be concluded, preliminary reports suggest her body may have sustained knife wounds. One of her children alleged that Augustine had killed their mother and ignited the fire.
On January 20, Catalina reported an incident where Augustine had threatened her. Although he did not physically attack her then, she noted prior abusive behavior. After this report, she was placed in the VioGen system, intended to evaluate domestic violence risks, but her case was assessed as merely “medium risk,” resulting in police contact primarily by phone.
Initially reluctant to file a formal complaint, Catalina ultimately did so. However, inconsistencies in her statements led the court to refuse her a restraining order.
In the early hours of February 9, Augustine called emergency services to report a fire, failing to disclose it was his ex-partner’s home or that he was involved in starting the blaze.
The local police arrived first and managed to rescue the three children present. During the rescue, one child informed the officers that their mother was still trapped inside and accused their father of her murder.
Following the extinguishing of the flames, police discovered Catalina’s body in their home. The autopsy results are awaited to confirm the cause of death.
Catalina had previously been married and had a 19-year-old son from that union. She began her relationship with Augustine approximately 13 years earlier. They shared a home where her mother lived upstairs, and Lina resided with Augustine and their three children on the lower level.
Recent reports suggest that Catalina had retracted her relationship with Augustine. Locals noted his appearances with another partner, while her Facebook indicated her relationship status as “complicated.”
Loles López, the regional minister for social inclusion, condemned Catalina’s death and emphasized that she had not engaged with the Municipal Women’s Information Centre (CMIM). López confirmed that resources were mobilized to ensure the safety of the children.
Catalina is survived by four children: a 19-year-old son from her previous marriage and three minors, aged 11, 9, and 7, from her relationship with Augustine. The children were in the house during the incident, with the eldest reportedly trying to intervene and experiencing violence from Augustine in the process.
The eldest allegedly had tried to stop his father and had been assaulted by him.
