Woman Arrested After Severing Partner’s Penis and Stabbing Him to Death in Bilbao
A shocking domestic violence case emerges from northern Spain as a 55-year-old woman confesses to a brutal homicide that left neighbors stunned
Woman Arrested After Allegedly Severing Partner’s Penis and Stabbing Him to Death in Bilbao
A shocking domestic violence case emerges from northern Spain as a 55-year-old woman confesses to a brutal homicide that left neighbors stunned
BILBAO, Spain — What appeared to be a quiet, happy relationship to the outside world ended in bloodshed on January 30, 2026, when a 55-year-old woman allegedly sliced off her partner’s penis and stabbed him to death in their Bilbao apartment.
The victim, a 67-year-old bar owner who had been in a relationship with the suspect for five years, was discovered by the autonomous police force Ertzaintza at the couple’s residence in the Uribarri neighborhood. According to the police statement, officers responded to a homicide report and found the man had “suffered a violent death.”
The manner of killing has horrified even seasoned true crime observers. Spanish news outlet El Diario Vasco reported that the victim sustained multiple stab wounds to his neck and that his genitals had been severed in the attack.
The Confession
According to police, the suspect’s own daughter was the one who made the emergency call after her mother told her she had committed the crime. When authorities arrived, the woman was present at the scene and allegedly confessed to the murder. She was immediately taken into custody on suspicion of homicide.
An investigation has been opened to determine the full circumstances surrounding the killing, though El Diario Vasco reported that jealousy may have been a motive for the alleged attack.
“They Seemed Like the Perfect Couple”
Perhaps the most chilling aspect of this case is the apparent disconnect between the couple’s public image and the violence that allegedly occurred behind closed doors.
Friends and neighbors expressed disbelief when learning of the crime. “They seemed like the perfect couple,” one neighbor told El Diario Vasco.
Another friend, who regularly socialized with the couple, painted a picture of domestic tranquility that masks the tragedy to come: “I’m in shock. We never expected this, and certainly not in the way it happened. When I finished work, I would always have a beer or a moscato on the terrace with them. They talked, they laughed.”
The same friend added a haunting observation about hidden domestic violence: “No one knows what happens inside people’s homes. They seemed like a normal couple, not toxic at all.”
Domestic Violence in Spain
This case comes against the backdrop of ongoing concerns about domestic violence in Spain. The country has seen significant efforts to combat gender-based violence, including specialized courts and comprehensive protection measures. However, cases like this demonstrate that domestic violence can manifest in ways that are invisible to even close friends and neighbors.
The alleged method of killing—genital mutilation combined with fatal stabbing—suggests an attack of extreme rage and personal vengeance, often seen in crimes of passion or intimate partner violence with underlying jealousy or betrayal factors.
The Investigation Continues
As of the time of reporting, the Ertzaintza continues their investigation into the circumstances that led to this brutal homicide. The suspect remains in custody as authorities work to establish a clear timeline and motive.
The victim, remembered by neighbors as a friendly bar owner, leaves behind a community struggling to reconcile their memories of a seemingly happy couple with the violent reality of his death.
This is a developing story. TheColdCases.com will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Editor’s Note: This case, while involving a recent arrest and confession, touches on themes common to cold case investigations—the hidden nature of domestic violence, the gap between public appearance and private reality, and the questions that remain even after a suspect is apprehended. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org for resources and support.