Police arrest son suspected of killing his 80-year-old mother in inland Catalonia

The Catalan police, Mossos d'Esquadra, arrested a man on Wednesday in Torelló, inland Catalonia, for allegedly killing his mother.

Emergency services were alerted around 6 pm and found the woman’s lifeless body with signs of violence inside her home.

Shortly afterward, the police detained the victim’s 54-year-old son as the suspect. The victim was 80 years old.

In response, the town council suspended all events for the local Festa Major, the traditional street festival held this week.

On Thursday at noon, over a hundred people gathered in the main square to observe a minute of silence in her memory.

Mayor Marçal Ortuño expressed deep sorrow over the crime, saying the entire community is “shocked.”

"We held this minute of silence for the consternation of this violent death and to show support to family and relatives of the victim," he said. 

The Department of Equality and Feminism condemned the killing and offered support to the victim’s family and neighbors.

This is the fourth femicide in Catalonia this year. Since records began in 2012, there have been 152 such cases.

Anyone facing domestic or gender-based violence can call the free, confidential helpline at 900 900 120. The service operates 24/7 in multiple languages and leaves no trace on phone bills.