Mother of young man murdered in Málaga blames tourism boom for providing hiding places for hired killers
The mother of Ignacio Valera, 20, murdered by mistake in Málaga in September, blames the lack of regulation in holiday rental properties that allow mafia members to hide.
Mother demands action after death of innocent son
Ignacio 'Nacho' Valera, 20, was shot on 18 September while sitting on a bench near his home on Calle Barcenillas in Málaga. Three men linked to a Swedish drug gang approached without warning and opened fire. According to The Olive Press, the attackers mistook him for a rival after seeing him with a bag which they believed contained a weapon, when he was actually carrying personal belongings, CVs and an adrenaline auto-injector for his severe food allergy.
The young man was struck by gunfire in the back and leg. Videos of the incident show the wounded man crawling to a Día supermarket in Plaza Virgen del Rocío to seek help. He died in hospital shortly afterwards.
Three Swedish nationals were arrested within the following 12 hours following a major police operation in the province. Investigators believe the suspects, who were staying in an Airbnb nearby, acted in panic after their mistaken identity confusion.
Mother's open letter demanding answers
Exactly one month after her son's death, Nacho's mother published an open letter demanding explanations from politicians, judges and the State about the failures surrounding the crime. "We are talking about a boy barely 20 years old, murdered by hired killers, completely unrelated to that horrible criminal world," she wrote.
She described her son as a young man "noble, good, well-mannered, affectionate and intelligent, who loved animals and music" who was seeking employment whilst waiting for a place on a training course. "He was very happy during his 20 years of life and was always surrounded by love," she added.
But the letter also pointed directly at the uncontrolled growth of holiday accommodation in Málaga. The mother argued that the lack of regulation facilitated the crime. "Málaga is dying from its own success. One of the problems in the management of the city is that the proliferation of holiday flats and the lack of control can facilitate drug trafficking mafia hired killers finding places to hide," she wrote.
She continued: "I am convinced that something like this could have been avoided with more responsible management. A rapacious speculation and an absolute lack of control has been permitted in the growth of our city, without limits or any balance whatsoever."
Criticism of previous judicial decisions
The mother also questioned the administration of justice. According to The Olive Press, one of the suspects had previously been arrested for a different attempted murder on the Costa del Sol in 2025. The man, of Somali origin, appeared before a judge after allegedly supplying three pistols to two teenage hired killers sent to Fuengirola to carry out a targeted attack. He was released pending trial.
"I want to know why one of the alleged murderers of my son, who had previously been arrested for attempted homicide, was not sent to prison," the mother demanded. "I demand that the circumstances and decisions be explained that made that situation possible."
Rejection of political exploitation of the crime
Despite her pain, the mother rejected the use of the crime to foment racial hatred. "To focus on the origin or skin colour of his murderers would be a tremendous mistake. That is what simple minds do, frightened of those who are different," she wrote.
"They are murderers, plain and simple. They are not people from other countries seeking a better life. They are hired killers who care little for the lives of others and who kill for money," she concluded.
The case has highlighted the tension between the residential tourism industry in Málaga and growing public safety concerns, with the mother of the murdered young man calling for an urgent review of holiday rental property regulation in the city.
Source: The Olive Press