The autopsy will be crucial to establish whether his beatings were due to a sexist crime
09 November 2024 . Updated at 05:00
Civil Guard agents are investigating as alleged sexist crime died yesterday in Bayona Estela Blach Silva, 36, and are looking for her ex-boyfriend, who left the woman’s home in the parish of Belesar as soon as help arrived. It was he who alerted the emergency services to the incident around five in the morning. He said he found the victim at the entrance to his house, who had been beaten, and took her inside the house and covered her with a blanket.
When the health services arrived at the house they could only confirm the woman’s death. As soon as they did, her ex-boyfriend declared, “I won’t eat this brown.” He then ran away from the scene. He was no longer there when Guardia Civil officers arrived at the house. From that moment on, attempts have been made to locate the man, in a device in which various patrols and teams have worked tirelessly throughout the day.
He apparently left the area on foot, but had time to get into a car and continue his escape. Late yesterday evening, the man, 38 years old and originally from the Sabarís district, in the same municipality of Baiona, remained in unknown location.
The investigations are now being conducted by the Judicial Police team of the Civil Guard of the Pontevedra Command. Since early morning they were on site to analyze the scene and collect possible vestiges and evidence that would help clarify what happened, which shocked Baiona.
restraining order
The victim received blows to the face consistent with a possible sexist aggressionand therefore it is investigated as possible case of gender violence. Furthermore, the man had a restraining order against the woman in force since last April, issued by the investigative court number 4 of Vigo. The Government sub-delegate, Abel Losada, confirmed that Estela Blach Silva was present VioGen systemwhich follows cases of sexist violence, with a medium risk. The woman leaves behind a motherless little girl. “When the autopsy procedure and the rest of the investigations are completed we will have more concrete data to know the circumstances of this death”said Losada, who expressed his solidarity with the population of Baiona and the victim’s family. “The circumstances are still to be clarified, we need to be careful because we are talking to a woman with a family, who is shocked”Losada insisted. «It is better to give explanations after closed investigations. When the investigators confirm that it is a crime of gender violence, I insist, because that too is not confirmed”term. An autopsy is scheduled to be performed today.
sexist attacks
Estela Blach Silva’s ex-boyfriend has several alleged complaints sexist attacksas confirmed by investigative sources. However, “caution” is requested in ascertaining the circumstances and it is underlined that the autopsy will be fundamental to establish whether it was a sexist murder.
The judicial delegation, which appeared in the parish of Belesar before dawn, ordered the removal of the woman’s body at nine in the morning. He was subsequently transferred to Vigo, so that an autopsy could be carried out at the Cidade da X
Him mayor of Baionathe popular Jesus Vázquez Almuiñahas directed all its support to the victim’s family, who is well known in the municipality and is currently receiving psychological help. The councilor, also in the wake of the Government sub-delegate, also made a statementI urge caution waiting for the details of the Guardia Civil investigation to be known and for it to be confirmed whether it is a sexist crime or not. The entire country is committed to supporting the family in the face of this tragedy for which no explanation can be found.
If it is confirmed that Estela Blach Silva died at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, she would become the fourth fatal victim of sexist violence this year in Galicia. And number 40 in all of Spain.
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Dr. Laura Fernández, Gender Violence Expert
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Dr. Fernández. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the tragic case of Estela Blach Silva in Baiona. The circumstances surrounding her death are deeply concerning, particularly with the indication that her case may involve gender violence.
Dr. Laura Fernández: Good morning, and thank you for having me. It’s a heartbreaking situation, and it highlights ongoing issues related to gender violence that persist in our societies.
Editor: The initial reports suggest that Estela’s ex-boyfriend was allegedly involved in her beating, and there was a restraining order in place against him. How significant is that detail in the context of gender violence cases?
Dr. Fernández: Extremely significant. A restraining order indicates that there was a recognized threat, yet its enforcement and the victim’s safety remain critical concerns. In many cases, these orders do not fully protect individuals, which is indicative of a systemic issue in how we approach intimate partner violence.
Editor: You mentioned systemic issues. Can you elaborate on what you believe might contribute to the ongoing prevalence of these situations, especially in light of the victim being flagged in the VioGen system?
Dr. Fernández: Certainly. The VioGen system is designed to assess and monitor victims of gender violence, but there are gaps in its effectiveness. Many women, like Estela, often face barriers in accessing help or fear repercussions from their abusers. The societal attitudes toward domestic violence can also add layers of complexity. We see a mix of victim-blaming and a lack of support, which tragically perpetuates cycles of violence.
Editor: The reported response of the ex-boyfriend, leaving the scene after alerting emergency services, raises questions. Do you believe this reflects a broader psychological pattern often observed in perpetrators of domestic violence?
Dr. Fernández: Yes, it does. His reaction could suggest a number of things: panic, awareness of guilt, or a calculated move to distance himself from the situation. Many perpetrators exhibit behaviors that range from manipulation to self-preservation after committing acts of violence. These patterns can be complex and very unpredictable.
Editor: What do you believe will be critical in the autopsy and further investigations?
Dr. Fernández: The autopsy will provide vital evidence, not only concerning the physical injuries sustained by Estela but also in determining if there were any signs consistent with systematic abuse. Additionally, gathering testimony from family, friends, and any previous reports or interventions will be essential to clarify the nature of their relationship and the risks involved.
Editor: Based on your expertise, what measures do you think should be taken to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future?
Dr. Fernández: We need comprehensive changes at various levels. There should be better education around gender violence and more robust support systems for victims, including immediate access to safe shelters and resources. Law enforcement and judicial systems must be trained to handle these cases with sensitivity and urgency, ensuring that protective orders are more effectively enforced. Community awareness campaigns are also crucial in changing societal attitudes about relationships and violence.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Fernández, for your insights today. It’s evident that addressing gender violence requires ongoing dialogue and concerted efforts across all sectors of society.
Dr. Fernández: Thank you for shedding light on this important issue. Conversations like these are crucial to fostering change and support for victims.