13/07/2026
𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧
Assault and Death of Govert van de Laar
Witness Appeal
𝗔𝗴𝘂𝗮𝘀 𝗡𝘂𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘀 – 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗼, 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝗷𝗮
📢 Before reading this statement and witness appeal, please follow this page and share this post. Every share increases the chance of reaching someone who may recognise the suspect, identify the driver who stopped that evening, or hold information that could assist the investigation. By following this page, you will also receive future updates as the investigation continues.
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This statement has been prepared by and on behalf of Govert van de Laar’s family. Its purpose is to provide a factual account of the assault, the subsequent medical treatment and the ongoing witness appeal.
It reflects the family’s understanding of events, based on Govert’s own account and the information available at the time of publication.
Govert van de Laar (75) was a Dutch national who had lived in Torrevieja, Spain, for almost thirty years.
Together with his wife, Veronica, he dedicated nearly twenty years to caring for the abandoned community cats of Molino del Agua in La Mata. Through daily feeding, rescue, sterilisation and an adoption network in the Netherlands, it is estimated that almost 500 rescued cats found loving homes.
He is survived by his wife, Veronica, two daughters and two grandchildren.
At approximately 21:30 on 6 May 2026, after completing the evening feeding of the colony, Govert returned home and left his feeding bags there.
According to Govert, he then walked to the nearby waste collection point, where he saw a man using a stick to search through a rubbish bin. The man said something to him, to which Govert simply replied:
“No, thank you.”
Moments later, the man attacked him without warning.
According to Govert, following the initial assault, the attacker used the stick from the rubbish bin to strangle him.
The assault ended only when a white car appeared on Calle Hemingway, travelling eastbound from the north. The attacker immediately fled the scene on foot.
The driver stopped and asked Govert, in Spanish, whether he could take him home. Govert replied that he lived just around the corner, and the driver continued on his way.
Despite his injuries, Govert managed to return home. He went downstairs to the basement, where he often slept alongside colony cats that required isolation and special care.
Veronica found him the following morning after noticing blood on the floor and staircase.
On 7 May 2026, Govert attended Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja because of the severe pain he was experiencing. He was discharged after being told that there was nothing wrong.
Over the following days, his condition continued to deteriorate. On 11 May 2026, he attended the La Mata Health Centre, where medical staff called an ambulance to transfer him to Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja, where he was admitted.
Further examinations revealed seven fractured ribs, together with other serious injuries.
After more than three weeks in hospital, his condition deteriorated once again. On 3 June 2026, he was urgently transferred to Hospital General Universitario de Elche due to serious cardiac complications requiring specialist treatment.
Despite receiving intensive medical care, Govert died there on 7 June 2026.
The motive for the assault remains unknown. At the time of publication, no arrests have been publicly announced, and it is understood that the investigation remains ongoing.
Although Govert was widely known for his dedication to the community cats of Molino del Agua, there are currently no grounds to conclude that the assault was connected to his volunteer work or the cats. The family respectfully asks the public to avoid speculation while the investigation continues.
𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀:
* Male.
* Approximately 45–49 years old.
* Approximately 176 cm (5 ft 9 in) tall.
* Muscular, athletic build.
* Dark blond hair.
* Appeared to be of Eastern European origin.
* Remained calm throughout the assault, acting with confidence and control.
* Govert believed he may have had training or experience in physical combat.
* Last seen fleeing the scene on foot.
The family is particularly hoping to identify the driver of the white car that stopped immediately after the assault. He may have been the last independent person to speak with Govert before he returned home and may hold information that could assist the investigation.
If you recognise the suspect description, remember seeing a person matching it in the area that evening, witnessed anything unusual at approximately 21:30 on 6 May 2026, or believe you may know the identity of the driver of the white car, please send us a private message.
Any information that may assist the investigation will be treated in confidence and passed to the appropriate authorities.
Even the smallest detail could prove important.
The work of Colonia Felina - Govert van de Laar continues through the dedication of his family, friends and volunteers, who provide daily care for the community cat colony at Molino del Agua.
Future updates regarding the investigation, the witness appeal and the continuing work of the colony will be published on this page.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to read and share this statement.
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📍 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗧
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