Tributes Paid to 'Pure Hearted' British Mother Stabbed to Death at Her Spanish Home
Heartfelt tributes are pouring in for a British mother described as having a "pure heart" who was allegedly stabbed to death at her home in Spain. Victoria Hart, a 33-year-old hairdresser originally from the UK, was found dead on the floor of her residence in the Andalusian town of Alhaurín el Grande on Saturday, according to local authorities.
Arrest Made in Connection with Fatal Stabbing
Spanish police confirmed that Ms Hart's former partner was arrested after turning himself in at the Alhaurín de la Torre prison on Saturday. The couple, who were separated, shared three children: an 11-year-old boy and seven-year-old twin girls.
Spain's Civil Guard told media outlets they are investigating a case of gender-based violence that occurred shortly before midday on Saturday in Málaga province. Emergency services were called to the scene at 11.40am, where they discovered Ms Hart with neck wounds. Medics later pronounced her dead at the location.
Restraining Order and Risk Assessment System Under Scrutiny
According to reports from Spanish newspaper El Mundo, Ms Hart had a restraining order against her former partner and was registered on Spain's VioGén database. This software system is used by Spanish police to assess the risk of gender-based violence cases. Despite this registration, police had reportedly deemed her situation as low-risk prior to the fatal incident.
Children Witnessed Aftermath of Tragic Incident
A neighbour told El Mundo that the children ran out into the apartment's communal garden immediately after the incident. The woman's son reportedly called his grandmother to tell her that "his father had killed his mother," according to the neighbour's account.
Community Mourns and Condemns Gender Violence
The local city hall strongly condemned what it described as an "act of gender violence" and declared Monday as an official day of mourning. Mayor Anthony Bermúdez made the declaration "as a sign of respect and solidarity" with the victim's family and the wider community.
"We extend our deepest condolences and support to the family and loved ones of the victim, as well as our strongest condemnation and outrage at this act of gender violence," the city hall stated. "This is a social scourge that seriously violates human rights and that we must eradicate with the involvement of the entire society."
Friends Remember Dedicated Mother and Hard Worker
Anne Khraiche, a resident who knew Ms Hart, told the Spanish Eye newspaper: "Victoria had the most pure heart, her ultimate goal was to ensure her children had the best life she could give them. She worked hard to ensure they had this while making sure she attended their various activities. Family bonds were so important to her."
Friends emphasized that the hairdresser was completely committed to giving her children "the best life she could," balancing work at Halo SpaSalon in the town with active involvement in her children's lives and activities.
Workplace Pays Emotional Tribute
Halo SpaSalon, where Ms Hart worked as a hairdresser, paid an emotional tribute on social media: "This evening, we stand with all our thoughts, prayers, love and strength with the family and beautiful children of Victoria Hart. A young mum and fellow hairdresser in the community, taken brutally in such a disgusting way. Robbed of her life and changing the lives of her children and family forever."
The tragic death has sent shockwaves through both the British expatriate community in Andalusia and the local Spanish population, highlighting ongoing concerns about domestic violence and protection systems for vulnerable individuals.
