Father and daughter murdered on beach

A WOMAN and her father have been stabbed to death on Laredo beach in Cantabria by the ex-partner of the victim.

Mercedes García, aged 42, and her father Gabino García, 71, were killed in broad daylight yesterday evening at approximately 6.40pm in a zone frequented by bathers and home to a surf school.

The offender, who spent last night in the Local Police cells, will today pass in front of a judge. 

According to eyewitness accounts, the aggressor was seen running among the sand dunes a few minutes before he attacked. Waiting for his victim as she left the beach, he attacked her in such a violent manner that she died at the scene within minutes.

The woman’s father, who immediately rushed to defend her, was also seriously wounded in the attack, and unfortunately died in hospital at around 9pm, despite efforts to treat his injuries.

An off-duty Local Police officer in the vicinity at the time managed to pursue and detain the attacker, and with the help of other beachgoers, was able to restrain him until on-duty officers arrived.

The suspect is believed to be from Bilbao, although his full identity has not been released by investigating officers.

The apparent motives for the crime have so far been hard to pin down. Government and Guardia Civil sources deny that the crime has any connection to domestic violence, although other police sources have indicated that the man had previously been in a relationship with the female victim.