Dismay and mourning were evident throughout Sunday in El Viso del Alcor due to the violent death of one of their neighbors, Jennifer, 30, whose life was allegedly taken by her romantic partner on the night of … SATURDAY. A knife attack followed by a fire in the house where she lived ended the life of this citizen of Colombian origin who lived in the municipality of Alcores with one of her daughters. The alleged perpetrator, Ismael, with a history of gender-based violence, is (at press time) hospitalized in the Civil Guard before being brought to justice.
The events began around midnight on Saturday, when 112 received a notice from neighbors regarding a fire at number 32 Calvario Street, in the municipality of El Viso. Upon entering the house, officers located the woman’s lifeless body, which showed signs consistent with knife violence. The suspicion of murder was immediately activated and the house was sealed while forensics worked for hours collecting evidence. The autopsy will determine the exact cause of death and whether Jenny, as her loved ones knew her, is officially the third victim of gender-based violence in Seville in the eleven months since 2025.
Shortly after, a 35-year-old man, identified as Ismael and owner of the property, was arrested. According to investigation sources, the two had some sort of romantic relationship. The young woman was not registered in the VioGén system which registers potential victims of harassment and gender-based violence, but the author seemed linked to the case of a previous couple who appeared in this system.
According to eyewitnesses, when help arrived at the burned house, the alleged perpetrator came out from inside with a knife in his hand. However, as the government delegate, Francisco Toscano, clarified, the man did not attempt to attack the agents, although he showed an uncertain attitude, even touching the palms of his hands at the time he was transferred to the hospital to treat the injuries he allegedly suffered in the fire.
Mid-morning Sunday, Calvario Street began to fill with neighbors who, between disbelief and silence, were looking for answers in conversations among themselves about an event that still has several unknowns. Most of them did not know the victim personally, as Jennifer had only been in the city a short time. Her 11-year-old daughter and another family member lived with her. Her two other children remained in their country of origin, waiting for her to stabilize her economic situation so she could take them with her.
A friend of the victim, Natalia, told ABC in dismay that Jennifer “was scared”, revealing she was even taking medication for her nerves. He also excused the victim, saying she did not report these fears because “he said you have to come face down to be listened to.” He also indicated that they informed him that to appear he had to go to Carmona and that, without a car, this logistical and emotional barrier became insurmountable. The dichotomy of a dizzying daily life coincided with the minute of silence in memory of Jennifer with people marching in their best clothes for the celebrations which took place on Sunday morning in El Viso.
improvised altar
The house, after the intervention of scientific agents of the Civil Guard, was sealed and, over the hours, it became an improvised altar. Anonymous neighbors and friends placed candles next to the door, a silent gesture of mourning and solidarity in the face of a death that no one understands.
The El Viso del Alcor City Hall has declared three days of official mourning and suspended all planned events, including the traditional Hogueritas competition. During the minute of silence, the municipal delegate for Equality, Alicia Sánchez, read the manifesto in which they “strongly condemn gender violence”, while specifying that “we cannot allow fear or silence to perpetuate it, we must continue to work together so that no woman fears for her life”.
El Viso Mayor Gabriel Santos thanked neighbors for their presence and respect and strongly condemned “any type of violence.” He also recognized the work of the security forces and emergency services present at the scene. “This is a very difficult time for our municipality,” he said.
For his part, the government delegate, Francisco Toscano, called for caution in the face of an investigation which is still in its “nascent” phase, but took advantage of his intervention to send a clear message: the fight against sexist violence involves the whole of society. “Often we put the responsibility of reporting directly on women. I think we need to question ourselves as a society: when we have a clue that a woman could be experiencing a situation like this, we need to go to the security forces and agencies. “It can save lives,” he stressed.
As the investigation progresses and El Viso del Alcor tries to recover from the pain caused by the brutal end of one of its neighbors, what remains behind is the story of Jennifer, a young mother who crossed an ocean in search of opportunity and whose life was cut short by a former coupon seller with a troubled past. There are three orphaned children left and a town wondering how such a thing could have happened.
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