Boyfriend in court over Costa Blanca death of British woman
The boyfriend of the British teenager Katheryn Lander, who died on the Costa Blanca last week, will appear in court today in connection with her death.
The 23-year-old, identified only as Cameron, was arrested on Friday, the day after Miss Lander was found dead in her apartment in the town of Alfaz del Pi, near Benidorm.
He was due to appear before a judge in Benidorm today, the Spanish news agency EFE reported, but it was not clear whether charges had been brought against him.
Miss Lander, from Leicester, was found dead in her apartment by a friend on Thursday after she failed to turn up for work at a resort bar.
Police said her body had showed signs of violence and her boyfriend, also from Leicester, allegedly confessed that he had slapped her during a fight on Wednesday, the day of her 19th birthday. The results of the post-mortem examination have not been released, but the Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that authorities had not dismissed the theory of a drug overdose.
Police have not revealed whether they believe the young woman, known as Katie, was sexually assaulted.
Thousands of young Britons travel to the area every year seeking bar work for the summer, and the resorts have a reputation as safe places for visiting teenagers.
Pauline Jordan, a bar owner, said Miss Lander and her boyfriend had been in the area for a few weeks and had recently moved in together.
They had arguded on Miss Lander's birthday, she said, when they had planned to celebrate with friends. "They were going out and they had some sort of argument because he wanted to go and see his father," said Ms Jordan who described Miss Lander as quiet and pretty.
"She wasn't a girl who went to discos all the time. She was just a nice quiet young girl. She was pretty with long blonde hair and very vivacious."
A Foreign Office spokesman said he did not know whether charges had been brought against the British man. "Matters concerning the police investigation are for the Spanish authorities," he said.
Friends who found Miss Lander's body said she was lying on the floor and that her clothing appeared to have been torn and her legs bruised.
She had reportedly gone into Benidorm with friends on Wednesday night but left early. Police did not say whether there were signs of a forced entry into the apartment.
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