ARCHIVED - Autopsy in suspected Camposol murder case casts doubt on the account given by the husband of the victim
The autopsy indicates that the testimony given by the victim's partner, that she fell and hit the curb, does not coincide with the evidence
Sources close to the investigation disclosed that the autopsy of the deceased female who was found at her home in Camposol in what is suspected to be a case of murder perpetrated by her partner, revealed that she had numerous injuries apart from the fatal blow to the head. The victim, who has been named as Vanesa, was a 57-year-old British resident who had been residing in the municipality of Mazarrón for just a few weeks.
Vanesa lost her life last on Sunday December 4 just weeks after moving with her partner, Michael, 69. He was arrested shortly after the attack by Guardia Civil officers who were alerted by neighbours and arrived at the house to find the victim's body outside the home. The victim had a recent head injury which, according to her husband when giving a statement to the Guardia, was sustained when she fell and hit the curb.
However other recent injuries were found during the autopsy and were sustained on the same day that Vanesa died outside her home. Sources close to the investigation state that according to the coroner's report, in addition to the head injury, the female victim’s body had damage to numerous bones including some fractures. Listed in the Institute of Legal Medicine (IML) report were fissures found in the sternum and several ribs, as well as two broken ankles.
These are not old injuries that would have healed, but are from around the time when the woman died, all of which is inconsistent with the suspect's statement.
Previous violent history
Vanessa had reported on several occasions, reportedly up to five times, that her partner assaulted her, but the case had been classed as inactive on the “At Risk” register (VioGén System) since 2015. The first complaint was filed in 2007 and the last one in 2014, resulting in a restraining order against her partner which expired in 2015.
The National Government delegate against Gender Violence, Victoria Rosell, commented on the events that occurred in Mazarrón: “It must be admitted that sometimes the system fails and protection must improve when there are 5 complaints between 2007 and 2014, and in 2022 he assaults her. It is never enough.”
When ambulances arrived at the scene on December 4 the medics could not do anything to save the victim's life, and witnesses said Guardia Civil officers found Michael with symptoms of intoxication. With reference to the Penal Code, being drunk can become an extenuating circumstance when the trial for this crime is held.
Theories are being considered after the injuries discovered by the autopsy, which also reveals that blunt objects were not used against the woman, one of the hypotheses is that the male partner, a large man almost two metres tall, fell on her, either accidentally or with intent to cause harm.
Local neighbours are still coming to terms with the tragic incident as this quiet corner of the urbanisation returns to its daily routine, the only visual reminder being the couple's BMW car parked as it was left outside the home.
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