A bloodied young woman found bound, hooded and gagged against a tree in Alhaurin de la Torre is the daughter of an alleged domestic abuser who died by suicide earlier this month, it has emerged.

The victim’s father allegedly subjected his former partner to a brutal attack – including killing her cat in front of her – before taking his own life on September 15.

The family connection between the two disturbing cases was revealed by Malaga’s Women’s Support Team (EAM).

According to the organisation, the man bashed down his ex-partner’s front door before repeatedly kicking and punching her.

The woman, who was already a domestic abuse and sexual violence survivor, attempted to call for help, but he took away her phone, it is claimed.

The EAM said that during the attack, and in front of the victim, the man picked up a cat they had cared for together and threw it from a height of approximately five storeys, killing the animal.

The woman suffered multiple injuries and bruising and was taken to a medical centre for treatment.

She was subsequently classified as an ‘extreme-risk’ domestic abuse victim and placed under police protection because the alleged attacker’s whereabouts were unknown.

Authorities learned hours later that the man had died by suicide.

The woman then allegedly began receiving death threats from people connected to her former partner.

She and her son remain under police protection and are receiving continued support from specialist domestic abuse services.

Daughter found tied to tree

Just over a week later, the dead man’s daughter was discovered tied to a tree in a rural area of Alhaurin de la Torre.

She was hooded, gagged and alone when passing cyclists found and rescued her.

Her family had previously alerted the Guardia Civil after receiving images showing the young woman bloodied and restrained without knowing where she was being held.

A man believed to be her boyfriend was arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping.

A judge has since ordered that he be remanded in custody while he is investigated for alleged assault, threats and unlawful detention in the context of gender-based violence.

The EAM said the clearest connection between the two incidents was that the man who died was the father of the woman subsequently found tied to the tree.

It added that financial disputes or potential conflicts between different groups could form part of the wider circumstances surrounding the cases.

However, the organisation stressed that this was solely its assessment based on the information currently available and not a confirmed police or judicial theory.

The investigation continues.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.