Spanish Mother’s Fury Ignites as She Sets Rapist Aflame Years After Daughter’s Trauma

In June 2005, Antonio Cosme, who had previously been convicted of sexually assaulting Verónica García at knifepoint when she was 13 years old in 1998, was released from prison to visit his family. On one such day, he encountered María del Carmen García while she was at a bus stop near her home outside Alicante.

Influenced by anger and fear, Garcia went to a nearby petrol station where she purchased a container of fuel. She then proceeded to the tavern that the couple frequently visited. Overwhelmed with hatred, García poured gasoline over Cosme and set him ablaze. The victim suffered severe burns covering 90 percent of his body, resulting in his death following several days in the hospital.

García was later apprehended by police wandering near a harbor that night. She admitted to her actions but stated that she did not intend to cause death; rather, she aimed to terrify or seriously injure Cosme so he could understand the suffering his assault had inflicted on her daughter.

Initially sentenced to nine and a half years in prison for the murder, García’s sentence was later reduced to five and a half years by an appellate court.