An Ecuadorian woman has become the first domestic fatality of 2009 after she was stabbed at her home in Parla, Madrid.
The woman, who was in the country illegally, was allegedly killed by a fellow Ecuadorian, a 33 year old man with whom she is thought to have had a relationship.
When the police arrived on the scene, having been alerted to a disturbance at the house, they found the woman suffering from at least one stab wound to the heart. Another woman, who had tried to intervene in the quarrel, was found with injuries and required outpatient treatment at the local hospital.
The man was found with a stab wound to the neck having apparently tried to commit suicide after the attack and has been transferred to hospital in Getafe. His condition is said to be serious.
Two children, also present during the attack and belonging to the deceased woman, were unharmed, physically at least.