A manhunt is underway after a Dutch grandfather-of-two died of his injuries following a brutal random attack in Torrevieja.
Govert van de Laar, 75, was allegedly beaten by a man, believed to have been Eastern European, after he came across him digging in rubbish containers with a stick on the evening of May 6.
The expat of more than 20 years died a month later on June 7 after suffering serious injuries from the assault, which occurred in the area of Aguas Nuevas-Torre del Moro.
In a statement released this week, Govert’s family described him as a much-loved animal welfare volunteer who had spent almost two decades caring for abandoned cats in the Molino del Agua colony in La Mata.
Together with his wife, Veronica, Govert helped rescue, sterilise and rehome hundreds of stray felines, with the family estimating that almost 500 animals found permanent homes through their work.
According to the family’s account, Govert had just finished feeding the colony at around 9.30pm before returning home to leave behind his feeding bags.
He then walked to a nearby rubbish collection point, where he encountered a man searching through a bin with a stick.
The family says the man spoke to Govert, who simply replied: ‘No, thank you.’
Moments later, the attacker allegedly assaulted him without warning before using the stick in an attempt to strangle him.
The assault reportedly ended only when a white car drove along Calle Hemingway, prompting the attacker to flee on foot.
The driver stopped and asked Govert, in Spanish, if he wanted a lift home, but he declined, saying he lived just around the corner.
Despite his injuries, Govert managed to walk home, where he later went to sleep in the basement alongside cats requiring special care.
His wife discovered him the following morning after noticing blood on the floor and staircase.
Govert attended Torrevieja University Hospital on May 7 complaining of severe pain but, according to the family, was discharged after being told nothing was wrong.
As his condition deteriorated, he returned for further treatment on May 11, when doctors admitted him to hospital and discovered seven fractured ribs along with other serious injuries.
After more than three weeks in hospital, he suffered further complications and was transferred to Hospital General Universitario de Elche on June 3 for specialist cardiac treatment.
He died there four days later.
The family said the motive for the assault remains unknown and stressed there is currently no evidence linking the attack to Govert’s long-standing work caring for community cats.
Police have not publicly announced any arrests.
As part of their appeal, the family is particularly keen to identify the driver of the white car, believing he may have been the last independent witness to speak to Govert before he returned home.
They have also released a description of the alleged attacker, who Govert described as a man aged between 45 and 49, around 176cm (5ft 9in) tall, with a muscular build and dark blond hair.
He believed the man appeared to be of Eastern European origin and may have had training or experience in physical combat.
Anyone who recognises the description, witnessed anything suspicious in the area at around 9.30pm on May 6, or has information about the driver of the white car is being urged by the family to come forward.
The family said any information will be treated confidentially and passed to the relevant authorities, adding that ‘even the smallest detail could prove important’ as the investigation continues.
The Spanish Eye has contacted the Guardia Civil for comment.
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