Domestic violence ends in tragedy in Son Servera

A 30-year old man, named as Miguel R.C., allegedly strangled his estranged wife, Cecilia Guerrero Martínez, in the early hours of yesterday morning in Son Servera, situated in the north-eastern part of the island. According to Guardia Civil sources, the tragedy occurred at about 6am at the family home, in Calle Constitució no. 13.
It is not known how the man, a construction worker, gained entry to the home.
He was later accompanied by his brother to the National Police station in Manacor where he is reported to have confessed to the crime.
The same sources indicated that the father of the victim and a friend tried to revive the woman at the family home and afterwards emergency services took her to a first aid station in Son Servera, with clear symptoms of asphyxia, but doctors could do nothing to revive her. This case brings the number of deaths due to domestic violence up to four so far this year in the Balearics.
Investigators confirmed they have no evidence to suggest that the victim had reported her husband for violence against her at any stage in the past.
Primary reports indicate that the woman could have been asphyxiated with a pillow or blanket, since there were no immediate signs of strangulation on the neck and no wound anywhere else on the body to indicate alternative cause of death. All relevant reports and evidence are now in the hands of the judiciary.
An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death. The couple have a five year old son.
The victim worked in a cafeteria in Cala Millor, where her estranged husband's family live.
Meanwhile, the Balearic government condemned yesterday “the cruel and irrational” murder of the victim. As a sign of respect, the government has ordered a minute's silence at midday today in all government departments. The Islands' leaders declared in a communiqué that crimes of this nature warrant involvement from all organisations, at a social or political level. “The campaign to forestall domestic violence is a matter that concerns us all” claimed the announcement. The USO union published a communique condemning the murder, and saying that it should “make the Balearic institutions reflect on the serious problem posed by domestic violence, and the need to dedicate more resources to it.” The Balearic Socialist Party condemned the murder and called on specific measures to be taken to protect victims of domestic violence.