‘Money row’ Brit OAP killed & dumped in shallow grave
Cops launch murder inquiry as body found in Spain
A BRITISH pensioner was killed and dumped in a shallow grave in a row over money, it is claimed.
Lesley Anne Pearson, 74, was found dead in the woods behind the farmhouse she owned in Spain.
A local man, 45, is currently in custody on suspicion of her murder.
The body of Ms Pearson – who is believed to be from the north of England – was found near her home in Algar, near Cadiz in southwest Spain. Algar’s mayor, Jose Carlos Sanchez, said the alarm was raised on Wednesday by a car rental firm after she failed to return a vehicle.
Ms Pearson’s husband of 42 years, electrical engineer Frank, died in a car accident three years ago.
Last night, her brother, Stephen, 72, said: “This is such a shock. I spoke to her last on my birthday in June and all was well. She lived in Spain for many years. Her house in Algar was tremendous. But after Frank died, it was too big for her so she got a flat in Gibraltar. She was trying to sell it.
“Les would go up to the [farm] house about once a week to check on things.”
Ms Pearson’s close friend in Algar, Enrique Clavijo, 57, said last night: “Lesley’s body was found in a shallow grave in the trees 30 metres behind her house.
“It was horrible way for her to die. Locals have been told it could have been a row about money.”
He added: “Lesley was loved by everybody. This is so awful. She lost Frank in a car accident three years ago and now this – it’s a tragedy.”
The couple called their farm Casa LeLe in a nod to the nickname locals gave her as they found Lesley hard to pronounce. A spokesman for the Civil Guard said: “A body has been discovered in the immediate vicinity of a property in Algar. Officers have arrested a local man who will appear in court shortly.”
The local town hall has declared three days of mourning. Stephen, her brother