British man arrested in Mijas following death of 33-year-old woman

A 33-year-old Chilean woman, who had been residing in Spain since 2019, was discovered dead in Calahonda, Mijas, yesterday morning (Saturday), sending shockwaves through the local community.

The circumstances surrounding her death indicate a fall from the fifth floor of a building, however, investigations into the motive for her death are ongoing as the police are considering the possibility of a case of gender violence, but suicide has also not been ruled out.

The primary suspect, according to the Guardia Civil, is a 36-year-old British man who had a casual relationship with the victim. The man, who was previously involved in two cases of gender violence, has been taken into custody, as reported by La Opinion de Malaga newspaper.

Further information from the ongoing investigation reveals that the victim had contacted emergency services due to an alleged assault by the suspect, leading to her hospitalization for treatment later that evening, just after 11:00pm. Nevertheless, she chose not to file a formal complaint.

At approximately 8:40am yesterday, the Emergency 112 Andalucia service received a distressing call reporting a woman falling from the fifth floor of a building in the Mijeña Riviera Sol de Calahonda urbanization, according to Europa Press.

Responding to the scene were the Guardia Civil, Local Police, and Emergencies 061, where medical personnel confirmed the woman's tragic demise.

Sources close to the investigation have revealed that the deceased had made several previous suicide attempts. She is believed to be named Romina, the spouse of Jose Rafael Pisani Pardo, the 55-year-old doorman who was fatally assaulted at Olivia's restaurant in La Cala de Mijas earlier this year.

The Guardia Civil is actively investigating the details surrounding the alleged murder, requesting surveillance footage from the nightclub where the couple had spent the previous night. This information will aid in establishing a comprehensive timeline of the detainee's movements.

The detainee was known to the victim and was reportedly involved in a sporadic relationship with her. Authorities are treating the case as a potential instance of gender violence, although the possibility of suicide is still being considered due to the victim's recent tragic loss - her husband's passing just six months ago and a history of suicide attempts.

Mijas Town Hall has expressed profound dismay at this development, which, if confirmed, would mark yet another tragic case of gender violence within four days. In their official statement, they declared, "From Mijas, we will continue to work tirelessly to eradicate male violence and provide all kinds of support to the victims of this terrible social scourge."

If this latest incident is verified as a case of gender violence, it would represent the fifth victim in the province this year, contributing to the alarming total of 18 murdered women in Andalucia, accounting for over one-third of the national total.