British man, 73, faces 25 years over wife's death in Spain

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 12:20 · Archive

A 73-year-old British man is on trial in Spain accused of murdering his 57-year-old wife, Vanessa Elizabeth, found dead outside their home in Murcia in December 2022.

A 73-year-old British man, named only as Michael John C, has appeared in court in Spain accused of murdering his 57-year-old wife, Vanessa Elizabeth. She was found dead outside their property in Camposol, near the resort town of Mazarron in Murcia's south-east province, in December 2022. She had suffered blows to the head.

Public prosecutors have charged him with aggravated murder and are seeking a 25-year prison sentence if he is found guilty. The suspect initially claimed his wife had died in an accident.

His lawyer has presented a different account of events. He said Michael could have knocked Vanessa over while reversing the car without realising when they arrived home. According to the lawyer's statement, Michael had been drinking and, on not seeing Vanessa return, got out of the car and found her lying on the ground just a few inches from it, with her head next to the kerb. Public prosecutors, however, have offered a radically different version of events in their pre-trial indictment.

How it is being reported

• British man faces 25 years in jail over ‘murder’ of wife found dead in SpainThe man could be jailed for up to 25 years in prison (Picture: SolarPix) A British man is facing 25 years in prison as he goes on trial accused of murdering his wife in their Spanish home. The suspect, named only as Michael John C, was arrested on December 4 2022, after 57-year-old Vanessa…Metro · 24 Oct, 12:10
• Brit, 73, accused of murdering wife in Spain facing 25 years behind barsA British pensioner has appeared in court in Spain accused of murdering his wife after she was found dead outside of their homeThe Mirror · 24 Oct, 10:47

In this story: Michael John C · Vanessa Elizabeth · Spain · Murcia · Camposol

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