Tributes are pouring in for a British mother-of-three who was found murdered inside her Costa del Sol home.
Victoria Hart, 33, was stabbed to death, allegedly by her Spanish ex, in the idyllic town of Alhaurin el Grande on Saturday morning.
The expat, who ran a hair and beauty business, leaves behind her mother, sister, twin daughters and a son.
The town hall of Alhaurin el Grande has declared an official day of mourning on Monday, January 26, and has asked residents to gather for a minute’s silence at 5pm.
The British expat community has been left outraged and saddened by the killing, with heartfelt messages flooding in.
Mary Crane Woods, a former client of Victoria, told the Spanish Eye: ‘She was a beautiful soul, very hard working and a great mother to her kids.
‘I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to her mum and her sister, it is heartbreaking.’
Anne Khraiche told this newspaper: ‘Victoria had the most pure heart, her ultimate goal was to ensure her children had the best life she could give them, she worked hard to ensure they had this while making sure she attended their various activities.
‘Victoria was a good listener and supporter to anyone who needed her. She gave her all not expecting others to be the same.
‘My memories of Victoria will never fade! Even with our age differences she has inspired me and I am sure many others, especially in her fight for what is right in life.
‘Family bonds were so important to her. Her Mum and her sister and her 3 beautiful children. keeping her children away from the evil in this world, teaching them love and respect was important to her.
‘Her life has sadly been taken from her leaving her children without the purest Mother. My heart is broken.’
HaloSpa Salon, a business operating near Victoria’s hair salon, said in a statement that it hopes ‘justice is served.’
It wrote: ‘We stand with all our thoughts, prayers, love and strength with the family and beautiful children of Victoria Hart.
‘A young mum and fellow Hairdresser in the community, taken brutally in such a disgusting way. Robbed of her life and changing the lives of her children and family forever.
‘Love should NOT hurt and at home shouldn’t be at risk. More needs to be done! Justice I hope will be served.’
Another friend Joanne Wilson wrote: ‘There are no words in this world that could describe such a beautiful person, a great mother, a great friend.
‘Victoria Hart you will be missed, my heart is broken and I still can’t believe it, RIP my angel I will miss you more than anyone in this world would think.
‘I’m sending my love to the kids… and all your family, because there’s not many people as perfect as Victoria Hart.’
The local government said in a statement: ‘The Alhaurin el Grande Town Hall invites all residents to participate in a public gathering on Monday, January 26, at 5pm in the Town Hall Square, where a minute of silence will be observed in memory of the woman murdered in our town, a victim of gender-based violence.
‘We reiterate our strongest condemnation of this terrible act of violence, as well as our solidarity and support for the victim’s family and loved ones.
‘The Town Hall reaffirms its commitment to the fight against gender-based violence and calls for unity within society to eradicate all forms of violence against women.’
Victoria’s neighbour is said to have called in police after hearing screams for help.
The alleged killer, identified only as Juan A.R., handed himself in at the Alhaurin de la Torre prison, reportedly telling guards: ‘Arrest me, I’ve done something very bad.’
Guardia Civil officers arrived at the scene to find Victoria laying in a pool of blood with stab wounds to her neck.
A kitchen knife, believed to be the murder weapon, was found close to her body.
Paramedics raced to the scene but could do nothing to save her.
The case was active in Spain’s Viogen domestic violence database, it has emerged, but was classified as low risk.
The killer was said to be subject to court-ordered restraining orders prohibiting contact and approaching the victim.
The incident occurred on Calle Tomillo while the victim’s three children were still inside the home.
