Police investigate death of 22-year-old man allegedly killed by mother’s partner

The Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) are investigating the death of a 22-year-old man and the discovery of a critically injured woman in Sentmenat (Vallès Occidental) on Monday morning, according to police sources.

Another man, believed to be the attacker, died by suicide.

According to initial hypotheses, a man killed his partner's son, injured her and then took his own life.

The police received a call at 6:30am informing them that there was an injured man on the street.

Upon arrival, the emergency services pronounced him dead.

Investigators found a critically injured woman inside a nearby building and, shortly afterwards, the body of another man – who died by suicide – in an industrial warehouse.

The Mossos d'Esquadra, local Sentmenat police and the Medical Emergency System (SEM) were dispatched to the scene.

The woman was transferred to hospital and an investigation into the events has been opened.

Interior Minister Núria Parlon said that there were no prior reports of gender-based violence involving the couple and emphasized that it is still too early to confirm whether the case qualifies as such. 

“There is an ongoing criminal investigation, and we cannot draw any conclusions at this stage,” she said.

Following the news of the crime, hundreds of people gathered in front of the city council in Sentmenat to condemn the alleged case of gender-based violence.

Residents of the town, which has fewer than 10,000 inhabitants, held a minute's silence, with many looking visibly shaken.

Mayor of Sentmenat Montse Rueda expressed gratitude for the strong turnout, emphasizing the community's rejection of the attack on a "well-known and beloved family" in town.

“We are closely following Núria’s condition and deeply saddened by Denis’s death,” she said during her brief speech.

Equality Minister Eva Menor, who visited Sentmenat after the incident, described it as “a very sad and painful day for the entire community.”

Anyone experiencing gender-based violence, or wishing to report a case, can contact the Catalan hotline at 900 900 120.