A British teenager has been found dead in Portugal after allegedly being stabbed by his mother’s ex-partner.
Alfie Hallett, 13, a keen basketballer, was found dead at his home in the town of Casais, in the Tomar area of the country, on Tuesday at around midday after receiving reports of a domestic violence incident.
His basketball club paid tribute to Alfie, saying that he had played ‘so well on Saturday it seemed like he knew it was his last game.’
They added: ‘We want to tell you how much we love you and that you will always be in our hearts.’
One parent posted on Facebook: ‘Rest in peace Alfie the team will never forget you.’
Another added: ‘Unbelievable. You’ll always be one of our boys.’
The man allegedly responsible has been pictured and named locally as 43-year-old Goncalo Carvalho, a convicted killer who had served nearly 15 years in prison for a savage park stabbing before being released from prison early for good behaviour.
Alfie’s mum had reported her former partner, said by neighbours to have spent many nights sleeping in his car outside the home she shared with her son in Casais near Tomar a 90-minute drive north-east of the Portuguese capital Lisbon, as part of his ‘obsessive’ attempts to keep her under control.
The day before the killing he posted a Facebook video saying his ‘heart was broken’.
Police believe shop worker Carvalho stabbed Alfie to death after attacking his mum and used the same knife to seriously injure himself before deliberately barricading himself inside their property and causing a gas explosion as emergency responders arrived.
Alfie’s mum, who had been assaulted before having her hands and feet tied, was taken to hospital after freeing herself and seeking help from neighbours.
Police added: ‘Both the alleged assailant and the minor presented several injuries caused by a bladed weapon but, despite vital signs still being detectable, death was declared at the scene moments later.
‘Inside the house, there was a strong smell of gas which, moments later, resulted in an explosion that injured one of the GNR officers.
‘The alleged perpetrator had already served a prison sentence for aggravated homicide, and the family had been flagged following domestic violence cases registered in 2022 and 2023.’
An autopsy will soon take place, which will determine whether the boy lost his life from the stabbing or the explosion.
Basketball coach Ana Bengala was quoted locally as saying: ‘The sports community was deeply shaken by the tragic death of a 13-year-old athlete from the Sub-14 Basketball team of SCOCS, a victim of an act of violence deemed utterly incomprehensible.
‘The news generated great sorrow among athletes, coaches, managers, parents, and members, who are united in this moment of pain and mourning. The young athlete was seen as a cherished member of the sports family, leaving an indelible mark on all who interacted with him.
‘The memory of the athlete will remain alive within the club and among all those who had the privilege of knowing him.’
The regional Santarem Basketball Association added: ‘We express our deep sorrow over the death of athlete Alfie Hallett.
‘To the family, friends, teammates and the entire basketball community, the Santarem Basketball Association sends its deepest condolences.’
Luis Freire, president of the local parish council for Tomar’s Casais and Alviobeira areas, said authorities were aware of previous instances of domestic violence between the former couple.
The Foreign Office said in a statement: ‘We are in contact with the local authorities following an incident in Portugal, and stand ready to provide consular support.’
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