Pensioner suspected of killing wife in Spain takes own life

A PENSIONER suspected of killing his wife at their home in Lugo has reportedly taken his own life in what looks to be the sixth gender-based violence death in Spain since the beginning of the year and the third in less than a week.

The couple’s granddaughter and her boyfriend found the body of the 79-year old woman in the kitchen of the house in the village of A Pastoriza on Saturday evening with signs of a strong blow to the head and cuts to the face and neck, according to Spanish media. A knife was also reportedly discovered at the scene.

The body of her 82-year old husband was meanwhile located outside the property under an open window with indications he had thrown himself out, and with indications of cuts to the wrist, press said.

The Government Delegation on Gender Violence posted on social media there had been no history of reports against the husband for abusing his wife.

The couple were well known in the village of just some 3,000 inhabitants. The 82-year old was a local councillor for more than two decades and they had played an active part in community life.