Two minors detained over death of elderly woman in Burgos during robbery
The National Police detained two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, over the death of an 83-year-old woman in the Gamonal neighbourhood. Investigators are searching for additional suspects involved in the robbery that resulted in the woman's death.
Detention in Burgos over elderly woman's death during assault
The National Police detained two minors, residents of Burgos aged 16 and 17, over the death of an 83-year-old woman at her home on Calle Vitoria, in the Gamonal neighbourhood. According to sources cited by El Mundo, investigators believe robbery was the main motive. The teenagers stole a considerable amount of jewellery, the majority of which has already been recovered.
Officers do not rule out further arrests. Investigators believe that the robbery and the elderly woman's death required the collaboration of more people. The property showed signs of a thorough and hurried search: open wardrobes, drawers scattered about, belongings spread throughout the rooms, suggesting a systematic search for valuable items.
The elderly woman died from respiratory failure after being gagged and immobilised, which prevented her from accessing the oxygen device she needed daily. According to preliminary autopsy findings, her body showed no other signs of violence. Investigators have concluded that the minors' intention was to rob, not to cause death; the victim's respiratory condition proved fatal following immobilisation.
The victim lived under constant care from two carers: one in the morning and another in the afternoon. One of these workers discovered the body upon arriving at the house. The victim's nephew, who came to cover the gap between care shifts, had left approximately two hours before the body was found.
The minors were located on Friday night and made statements in the early hours. Yesterday morning, after the police report was completed, they were placed at the disposal of the Burgos Juvenile Prosecutor's Office, which will determine whether they should be admitted to a juvenile detention centre as a precautionary measure. The Forensic Police collected samples whose analysis will be crucial to the investigation.
The robbery and death occurred last Tuesday between 15:30 and 16:30 hours in the Gamonal neighbourhood. Security camera footage allowed officers to locate the now-detained individuals and recover several gold items from inside the property.
Source: El Mundo