Tributes have been paid to a British mother who was allegedly stabbed to death at her home in Spain by her former partner. Victoria Hart, 33, was found dead on the floor of her home in Alhaurín el Grande, Andalusia, on Saturday.
Her former partner was arrested after turning himself in at Alhaurín de la Torre prison on Saturday, local media reported. The couple, who were separated, had three children: an 11-year-old boy and twin girls aged seven.
Spain's civil guard confirmed they are investigating a case of gender-based violence. Hart had a restraining order against her ex-partner and was registered on Spain's VioGén database, which assesses the risk of gender-based violence. Police had deemed the case low-risk.
A neighbour told El Mundo that the children ran into the communal garden after the incident, and the son called his grandmother to say that 'his father had killed his mother'. Emergency services were called at 11.40am and Hart was found with neck wounds, later pronounced dead.
The local city hall condemned the 'act of gender violence' and declared a day of mourning on Monday. Mayor Anthony Bermúdez expressed solidarity with the family. A friend described Hart as having 'the most pure heart' and said she worked hard to give her children the best life.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the children. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it is supporting the family and is in contact with local authorities.
