A much-loved historian has been found dead in the boot of his car in Almeria.
The body of Antonio Campos, 54, was found tied up in the white Volkswagen Passat, and with clear signs of violence.
Police have launched a murder investigation following the horror discovery in the San Augustin district of El Ejido, just a few kilometres from where he lived in Berja.
Campos, who had been missing since Saturday evening, was discovered in the early hours of Sunday.
From missing person to murder inquiry
He had last been seen at around 9pm on Saturday, reportedly preparing to travel, but he never reached his intended destination.
When his family lost contact with him, they raised the alarm, triggering an urgent search.
That search came to a harrowing end when police located his vehicle parked near an industrial warehouse in El Ejido. Officers had to force open the boot to retrieve the body.
With clear evidence of foul play, investigators from the Guardia Civil have launched a murder investigation, working discreetly but intensively to retrace Campos’ final movements, identify those involved, and establish a motive.
Forensic teams are analysing both the vehicle and the surrounding area, while CCTV footage and phone records are being reviewed for leads.
An autopsy will determine the exact cause and time of death, while police continue to take statements and appeal to the public for any relevant information.
A respected figure in Almeria
Campos was a pillar of Almeria’s cultural and historical community. A long-serving employee in the Department of Culture at El Ejido Town Hall, he was admired across the region for his deep knowledge of local history, heraldry and religious iconography.
In Berja, residents, colleagues and local officials have expressed shock and devastation at the loss of a man considered ‘irreplaceable’ for his intellectual contribution to the region.
Details surrounding his death are being kept confidential for now, as part of the investigative strategy.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
