a 40-year-old woman killed with a knife, her ex-companion in police custody

A 52-year-old man was taken into police custody in Béthune (Pas-de-Calais) for aggravated murder, suspected of having killed his 48-year-old ex-companion with a knife, the prosecution announced on Friday March 10. This last had filed a complaint on February 21 against him, “for acts of death threats”, he specified. This complaint “was being processed”.

A judicial investigation for murder “by a person who has been a spouse or cohabitant” will be opened on Saturday, with a view to indicting the suspect, announces the prosecutor. The prosecution intends to request his remand in custody.

“Several stab wounds”

In police custody, the man admitted “breaking into the victim’s home during the night through an unlocked door and stabbing him several times”, detailed the Béthune prosecutor, Thierry Dran, in a press release. The 50-year-old was not known to the services and “has no criminal record relating to acts of violence by spouse”.

The emergency services intervened Thursday at 5:30 am in the apartment of the victim, after the call of a neighbor. “Despite first aid”the victim, who “showed traces of blows, probably carried out using a bladed weapon” died on the spot, the prosecutor said. Preview by witnesses “leaving the premises hastily”, his ex-companion was arrested a few minutes later, at 5:45 a.m., “driving his car as he returned to his home”.

The daughter of the victim, a teenager who would be 12 years old, was present at the time of the facts according to France 3 Hauts-de-France. The town hall of Béthune, contacted by France 3, indicates its “dread“and address”all his thoughts“to the victim and his loved ones.”We await the results of the investigation but we strongly condemn violence against women and, more generally, all forms of violence.“, reacted Olivier Gacquerre, mayor of Béthune.