It is alleged that three women were in the same apartment when an argument broke out and one of them, a British woman known to the victim, took the cord and wrapped it around Ms Peckham’s neck
20:00, 26 Sep 2025Updated 20:06, 26 Sep 2025
The apartment where the crime happened in Benidorm
The family of an Irish woman found strangled to death in Spain are awaiting the release of her body, as more harrowing details have emerged.
Catherine ‘Cat’ Peckham, 66, who is originally from Cork but is understood to have resided in the UK, died after a woman known to her is alleged to have used the flex cord of a vacuum cleaner to strangle her to death at an apartment in Benidorm.
Now, it has emerged that it is alleged that Ms Peckham, whose maiden name is Murray, was on holiday and in the company of two other women when the violent row broke out late in the night on September 17.
It is alleged that the three women were in the same apartment when an argument broke out and one of them, a British woman known to the victim, took the cord and wrapped it around Ms Peckham’s neck.
According to local reports, the other woman, who witnessed the shocking attack, rang police “in a panicked state” and told them what had happened.
Police arrived at the apartment complex in the idyllic Rincón de Loix area of Benidorm, where they discovered the victim, witness and alleged perpetrator. Ms Peckham’s body was removed from the scene at around 3am and taken for a post-mortem examination.
A Spanish National Police spokesperson has since confirmed a murder probe and the victim’s Irish nationality.
“We have launched a homicide investigation into the death of an Irish national and all possibilities are open at present,” the spokesperson said.
Now, local reports say that examination has determined a cause of death by manual asphyxiation. The family of Ms Peckham, who are understood to be being supported by both English and Irish authorities, are now awaiting the release of her body.
In the meantime, the suspect, 65, appeared in court last Saturday and has been remanded in custody on suspicion of murder. It has been reported that she is not cooperating with authorities and has refused to speak so far.
Pictures have since emerged from outside the crime scene – showing police tape across the front door of the property in the gated apartment complex.
A mobility scooter could be seen outside the front door. The apartment complex is located on the Sierra Dorada Street and has 12 entrances – with the crime taking place on the fourth floor.
The incident occurred in an area known as the “English zone” of Benidorm(Image: Sergio Formoso via Getty Images)
It was initially reported that the victim was a resident in the area, but locals have stated that she and the other women were on holiday and had travelled from the UK to the popular tourist spot.
The area is known as the “English zone” of Benidorm, and is located next to many popular bars and restaurants.
Speaking to local newspaper El Espanol, one neighbour spoke of her distress and described the area as “very posh”.
The neighbour told the publication that she was initially of the belief that the owner of the apartment had been killed and subsequently learned that the trio of women had been staying there on a holiday.
Ms Peckham’s name emerged this week, as well as her Irish nationality – and on Thursday, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is providing assistance to her family.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases,” a spokesperson said.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Join Irish Mirror’s crime and court group on WhatsApp
Get all the big crime and court stories direct to your phone on our new WhatsApp service. Sign up here. If you don’t like our group you can leave it at any time