In a tragic case from December 2021, a man was sentenced to 18 years and six months in prison for the brutal murder of his ex-partner, María del Carmen, in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia. The convict, who had a history of domestic violence, killed María del Carmen, who was 60 years old at the time, by asphyxiation, acting from a place of feeling superior and dominating over her. After the murder, he gruesomely dismembered her body and concealed it beneath a bed.

The sentencing was a result of a plea agreement reached between the parties, as the judiciary in Barcelona upheld the prosecution's demand for the same sentence. Alongside the prison term, the court ordered the perpetrator to pay 100,000 euros in damages to the deceased's two daughters, with each daughter receiving 50,000 euros. This ruling reflects an acknowledgment of the severe impacts of domestic violence, demonstrating judicial commitment to address and penalize such heinous acts.

This case has heightened awareness of domestic violence issues in Spain, emphasizing the need for stronger measures and societal changes to protect victims. The tragic loss of María del Carmen serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by domestic abuse, and the legal decisions surrounding the case may influence future actions against domestic violence and issues related to victims’ rights and family compensation in Spain.