Body Discovered in Spain After 15 Years, Revealed by Storm Alice Flooding
A man’s remains were discovered in a Spanish apartment after a leak caused by Storm Alice prompted a visit from firefighters, revealing a body that had lain undiscovered for approximately 15 years. The revelation was made when water began leaking into a neighboring apartment, leading authorities to a property in a state of severe disrepair.
Neighbors believed the man had moved to a retirement home, unaware he had passed away in his flat. His utility bills and pension continued to be paid regularly, masking his absence for over a decade. The incident underscores the challenges of monitoring vulnerable individuals and the unexpected ways in which circumstances can come to light.
Firefighters were initially called to investigate water damage in a neighboring apartment. A neighbor explained to local media, “The water was coming into my mum’s bedroom as well as through the ceiling of her bathroom and the dining room.” She initially believed the leak stemmed from broken windows and heavy rainfall, but discovered a blocked gutter was the source.
Upon entering the property with police, they found the skeletal remains of the man, along with a significant pigeon infestation. “The place was in a really bad state. The last time we saw the owner was in 2010,” the neighbor stated.”The police told me there wasn’t a lot left of his body and it was basically a skeleton.”
Authorities have now assigned a homicide group to the investigation, pending a post-mortem examination. A source close to the investigation commented, “If it hadn’t been for the heavy rain, this man’s remains would probably still be lying undiscovered.”
The discovery coincides with ongoing severe weather in Spain, as Storm Alice continues to impact the east coast and Balearic Islands, including recent flooding in Ibiza where the army has been deployed to assist emergency services.
