A 13-year-old British boy has been stabbed to death in Portugal in a shocking suspected murder-suicide that has left a community in mourning. Alfie Hallett was allegedly killed by his mother's violent ex-partner, a convicted murderer who had been released early from prison.
A Life Cruelly Cut Short
Tragic Alfie Hallett lost his life on Tuesday, 23rd December 2025, in the village of Casais near Tomar, roughly 90 minutes north-east of Lisbon. The young teenager, who had made Portugal his new home, was allegedly attacked by 43-year-old Goncalo Carvalho, his mother's former partner.
Alfie's 43-year-old British mother was also assaulted and had her hands and feet tied before managing to free herself and seek help from neighbours. She was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.
A Convicted Killer's Obsessive Pursuit
The man named locally as responsible, Goncalo Carvalho, has a harrowing criminal past. He was a convicted killer who had served nearly 15 years in prison for a savage park stabbing before being released early for good behaviour.
Neighbours described Carvalho as "obsessive," revealing he would frequently spend nights sleeping in his car outside the home where Alfie and his mother lived. Although the couple had officially separated, they had been seen together shopping in a local supermarket as recently as last week. Alfie's mother had previously reported her former partner to authorities.
Chaotic Scene and Gas Explosion
Portuguese police believe the sequence of events unfolded with horrific speed. It is alleged that Carvalho, who worked in a shop, first attacked Alfie's mother before stabbing the 13-year-old to death. He then used the same knife to seriously injure himself.
As emergency responders arrived just after midday yesterday, Carvalho deliberately barricaded himself inside the property and caused a gas explosion. This blast resulted in injuries to a police officer at the scene.
Heartbreaking Tributes from His Basketball Club
The local community and Alfie's sports club have been left devastated. The basketball section of Tomar-based Sport Club Operario Cem Soldos (SCOCS) paid a poignant tribute to their young athlete.
Alongside a photo of Alfie with a black ribbon, the club wrote: "SCOCS BASKETBALL has just become poorer today!!! Our athlete Alfie passed away today at the age of 13. He played his last game on Saturday, played so well that it seemed like he knew it was his last game but far from imagining it..... We want to tell you how much we love you and that you will always be in our hearts."
Local basketball associations have joined in the widespread outpouring of grief for the teenager whose life was so cruelly taken in the place he had begun to call home.
