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A British hairdresser was stabbed to death while at home with her children in Malaga, Spain, according to local reports.

Tributes were paid to 33-year-old Victoria Hart who was killed on Saturday.

The attack is understood to have taken place at about 11.40am at a property in Alhaurin el Grande, a town in the province of Malaga.

Ms Hart was reportedly at home with her three young children at the time and neighbours claimed that it was the children who raised the alarm, according to Spanish newspaper Sur.

Paying tribute on Facebook, friends described Ms Hart as “a joy” and “a beautiful person taken far too soon”.



“We will all miss you terribly Victoria, many lives will never be the same again. It’s just so unfair,” read one message.


Halo SpaSalon, a salon operating in Alhaurin el Grande, published a statement saying: “This evening, we stand with all our thoughts, prayers, love and strength with the family and beautiful children of Victoria Hart.

“A young mum and fellow hairdresser in the community, taken brutally in such a disgusting way. Robbed of her life and changing the lives of her children and family forever.”

Anne Khraiche, a local resident, told the Spanish Eye newspaper: “Victoria had the most pure heart, her ultimate goal was to ensure her children had the best life she could give them.

“She worked hard to ensure they had this while making sure she attended their various activities. Family bonds were so important to her.”

Mary Crane Woods, a former client of Victoria, told the newspaper: “She was a beautiful soul, very hard-working and a great mother to her kids.”

Anthony Bermudez, the mayor of Alhaurin el Grande, confirmed the town would observe an official day of mourning on Monday as a sign of “respect and solidarity”.

A statement published from the town council said: “The Alhaurin el Grande City Council expresses its deepest sorrow over the murder of a woman, in her thirties and of British nationality, which occurred in our municipality this morning.

“On behalf of the City Council, we extend our heartfelt condolences and support to the family and friends of the victim, as well as our unequivocal rejection and condemnation of this act of gender-based violence, a social scourge that seriously violates human rights and that must be eradicated with the involvement of all of society.”

The Telegraph understands the Foreign Office has not been approached for consular assistance in relation to Ms Hart’s death.