An art teacher turned young woman was accused of being raped and tortured by her neighbor, a man convicted of murder.
Bernardo Montoya 53 appeared before a court in Huelva on yesterday’s murder charge. The accused is charged with raping, and then murdering, Laura Luelmo (26), in El Campillo.
Miss Luelmo had moved into the village as an art teacher. After only 3 days, she was gone.
Laura Luelmo (pictured), 26, was an artist teacher. She had lived only in El Campillo for three days, before disappearing and being later discovered dead.
Yesterday, Bernardo Montoya, 53 (pictured left), appeared before the court in Huelva to face murder charges. He was accused of murdering his neighbor, Miss Luelmo.
Over the telephone, she had informed her boyfriend that her neighbor had been looking at her.
Her boyfriend heard her tell her over the phone that her neighbour was looking at her.
Montoya also recently moved to the area, having spent 17 years behind bars for murdering an 82-year old woman when he stole her house.
While temporarily free, he tried to rape another hairdresser. He was therefore forbidden from coming back to Cortegana in five years.
He instead moved to El Campillo, 45 minutes away.
Montoya was alleged to have gone with Miss Luelmo back home from the supermarket.
He allegedly grabbed her as she was getting close to her home and made her go into his house at 5.30pm. After beating her, tied her hands behind her back, and then raped her.
Montoya allegedly followed Miss Luelmo to the supermarket and grabbed her before beating her up and raping him before hitting the teacher with his rock.
Bernardo Montoya, who had spent 17 years in jail for another crime, also recently arrived in the village.
After suffering for an average of 78 minutes, the suspect continued beating her up until she died.
Then, he wrapped the semi-naked body of his wife in a blanket before putting it into the car’s boot. He drove to the suburbs and dumped the body in some trees.
After a lengthy search, Miss Luelmo was found dead on December 17, five days after her body.
It was initially believed that Montoya’s identical twin brother Luciano had killed the teacher, but investigators became confused.
Montoya is alleged to have dumped the body of an art teacher in nearby bushes. Pictured is Miss Luelmo in search of her body
Bernardo, however, was made the main suspect when it was revealed that his brother had been serving an 18-year sentence for the murder of another woman.
Spain was furious at the death of Miss Luelmo, with many women protesting under #WeAreAllLaura.
Montoya, who was captured the same day as her body was discovered, has been held in custody since then while awaiting his ongoing trial.
Three days prior to her alleged murder, Miss Luelmo lived only in El Campillo in Spain.
Although initially admitting to the crime, the suspect is now saying not guilty. El Pais says he received four versions of events from him.
Montoya will be sentenced to life by the prosecutor for her murder of Miss Luelmo as well as for kidnapping, sexual assault and other crimes.
According to the prosecutor, the victim was subjected to an excessive and unnecessary level of suffering by the suspect.
If found guilty, Montoya could also have to pay around €350,000 (£295,000) to Miss Luelmo’s family.
This Friday is likely to see a verdict.