Singaporean woman found deceased with 30 stab wounds in Spain; Singaporean man arrested

SPAIN: In a tragic development, a Singaporean woman, Audrey Fang Dirou, aged 39, was found deceased in Murcia, Spain, under suspicious circumstances, Spanish authorities confirmed.

Her body, discovered with over 30 stab wounds, was located in a lorry park approximately 150 kilometers from her last known location, the hotel where she was staying.

Audrey Fang, an architect from Singapore, had traveled to Spain alone and was scheduled to check out of her hotel in Xabia on 10 April. Her body was found the same day, but identification was delayed due to the absence of personal identification on the victim.

The chilling discovery was made by a passerby on his way to breakfast at a nearby highway restaurant in Abanilla, Murcia, on 10 April. CCTV footage from the hotel last captured Ms Fang on 9 April at approximately 8:45 PM local time.

Following the grim discovery, the Spanish Civil Guard arrested a suspect in Alicante province on April 16. The individual, also a Singaporean national, was subsequently transferred to Murcia for further investigation.

Spanish media reported that the suspect was apprehended at a hotel in Alicante where he had been staying.

Ms Fang had informed her family of plans to meet a friend in Spain, although her family was unaware of the friend’s identity. Her family and friends, including a close family friend Ms. Lee Si Hui, have traveled to Spain to assist with the investigation and to trace Ms. Fang’s last steps.

“The family is deeply shocked and currently cooperating with the police investigation. We hope for privacy during this difficult time and do not wish to hinder the ongoing evidence collection,” Ms. Lee stated.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore was notified on 11 April, and Ms Fang’s brother, awaiting her return in Singapore, filed a police report when she did not board her scheduled flight back on 12 April. Her belongings were found intact in her hotel room, suggesting a sudden and unplanned departure.

The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the events leading to this brutal murder.

The suspect is expected to be brought before a judge at the Court of Instruction number 3 of Cieza (Murcia) within the next two days.

Further details are awaited as the legal proceedings unfold.