A 30-year-old woman died after being set on fire in her Madrid home. Police allege her husband hired two men to kill her as she sought separation. The case exposes premeditation and leaves three children orphaned.
The investigation into the death of Aisha El Bannoudi in Sevilla la Nueva (Madrid) has revealed a complex and premeditated plan allegedly orchestrated by her husband, Ibrahim B. According to the Guardia Civil, Aisha was attacked in her home on February 2, 2026, while her seven-month-old baby slept nearby. Two men, identified as Anderson M. and Julio M., reportedly entered the house using keys provided by Ibrahim, assaulted Aisha, and set her on fire with a flammable liquid. Despite suffering severe burns, Aisha managed to call emergency services and her father-in-law before losing consciousness.
Security cameras captured Aisha's final moments before the attack as she took her two older children to school. Investigators believe the assailants waited outside in a white Citroen owned by Ibrahim. After the assault, Ibrahim arrived at the scene, displaying a calm demeanor that medical staff found unusual given the brutality of the incident. He told authorities he had left for work early that morning, but evidence suggests he had first guided the attackers to his home in his Porsche Cayenne.
For five months, Aisha underwent dozens of surgeries in hospital but ultimately died on July 17 from her injuries. The Delegación del Gobierno contra la Violencia de Género has classified her as the 29th victim of gender-based violence in Spain this year. By the time of her death, Ibrahim and the two alleged hitmen were already in custody.
Further investigation uncovered that Ibrahim had taken out a home insurance policy just nine days before the attack, later collecting over €3,000 for fire damage. Family members told authorities that Aisha had recently learned of Ibrahim's infidelities and had expressed her intention to separate. According to her relatives, Ibrahim could not accept the prospect of divorce or losing the family home and children. The family also revealed that Aisha had secretly recorded her husband at home, fearing for her safety, and had sent a video to her siblings showing suspicious behavior involving her coffee.
While Aisha never filed a formal complaint against her husband, the case file indicates that Ibrahim attempted to arrange a second attack while she was hospitalized, prompting authorities to restrict her visitors. The Guardia Civil arrested Ibrahim and the two alleged accomplices on March 18. The family has since traveled to Morocco to bury Aisha and is now caring for her three orphaned children, the youngest of whom recently turned one.
Spain has seen a persistent challenge with gender-based violence, with dozens of women killed each year by current or former partners. The government has implemented a range of measures, including specialized police units and support services for victims, but cases like Aisha's highlight ongoing risks, especially when abuse is not reported. The case has drawn renewed attention to the importance of early intervention and the need for vigilance even in the absence of prior complaints. According to official statistics, Madrid remains one of the regions with the highest number of gender violence cases, underscoring the urgency of continued prevention efforts.
