Cristina Perez Galcenco, 21, was found dead at her home in Caleta de Velez in the province of Malaga
Natalia Penza, Annette Belcher and Kelly Williams Assistant News Editor (Live)
21:00, 05 Feb 2026
Tributes have been paid to the model(Image: pasarelacampoamor/Instagram)
An international model has been found dead at her Costa del Sol home. Cristina Perez Galcenco, the 21-year-old daughter of a former Spanish footballer, was found in Caleta de Velez near Malaga on February 3.
Tributes have been pouring in for the Lanzarote-born stunner, who had graced catwalks worldwide in major cities including London, Madrid, Milan and Paris and was believed to have had a bright career stretching before her.
Well-informed sources confirmed today that her death is not being considered suspicious. Graciela Suarez, organiser of a fashion showcase in Oviedo in northern Spain called Pasarela Campoamor where Cristina first gained recognition as a teenager, declared today: “I am devastated,” Daily Star reports.
Beyond her appearances at events such as Madrid Fashion Week, she also featured in advertising campaigns for brands like Stradivarius whilst showcasing new fashion lines for luxury houses including Versace and Louis Vuitton.
Her remains are expected to be transported to Asturias in northern Spain where she was raised in the coming days for her funeral service to be held.
Cristina’s parents, ex-goalkeeper Nacho Perez whose former clubs included Sporting de Gijon and her Moldovan-born mother Tatiana Galcenco, are yet to make any statements on their social media platforms.
Photographer Xana de Jesus expressed in a heartfelt tribute: “I have no words for this sad news, except to tell her parents Tatiana Galcenco and Nacho Perez and her family that a star shines eternally in our hearts and that I offer my deepest condolences in such a time of profound sorrow.”
One friend shared: “I will never forget your words, Cris. You were and always will be a role model and an example to follow, both in your modelling career and as a person.
“I was very fortunate to have known you and worked with you. How unfair life is.”
Another devastated pal added: “Cristina is an angel and always was.”
In a recent chat, Cristina reflected: “My job is to be the image of what a brand wants to represent to the public, whether through catwalks or advertising campaigns.
“I always say that the most satisfying thing about this profession is the number of people, cultures and mentalities you get to know.
“They are so different from your comfort zone that you have no choice but to grow and adapt to them; on the other hand, I feel that this comes with loneliness, which is the worst part of this job.
“It is a fact that, being constantly on the move, no one in your close circle can keep up with you, so learning to get along with yourself is one of the most important things. “
She candidly confessed that her naivety when she first embarked on her modelling journey had been a hurdle in tackling some of the challenges tied to the job.
At the time of her tragic passing, she was enrolled in a course in Malaga.