Fury has erupted in southeastern Spain after a British grandmother died at a campsite where she and her husband had lived for over 30 years. Police believe that Margaret Stewart, 82, took her own life at the campsite in the Cartagena area of Murcia because she was worried about her future. Now, furious protests have erupted in the region, demanding justice.
Margaret had lived with her husband Collin, 89, at the naturist El Portus campsite for 36 years, having sunk all of their money into their Spanish home. Protesters, who gathered at the site on Sunday (October 5), claimed her mental health had suffered due to uncertainty over whether the couple could continue living there. Two years ago, Newton Capital S.L. purchased the site, which has since been accused of “flushing out” long-term residents, with numbers dropping dramatically in the last 18 months. While 400 long-term residents were recorded living there at the end of 2023, now only 20 remain. Margaret’s body was found inside her and Collin’s home on Friday evening.
The Guardia Civil has launched an investigation into her death.
Allegations against the company include the use of illegal tactics and access restrictions, as well as the demolition of properties “for no good reason”. Environmental activists say new replacement modular homes have had a negative impact on the area.
Newton Capital has denied these allegations, stating that all the changes made have been legal. It has also been claimed that the company has employed forced evictions against residents – claims which Newton Capital has also denied.
According to The Olive Press, members of the Cala Morena Association gathered at the campsite on Sunday, armed with placards reading “Justice for Margaret” and flowers painted beside her name.
Miguel Alamagro, a close friend of the Stewarts, said they had suffered water and electricity cuts “for days at a time”. He added that the couple had lived in “constant fear they would lose access to their home if they went out”.
Javier Suarez, a protester and former resident of the campsite, said the Cartagena City Council had passed a motion in 2023 to mediate between Newton Capital and the residents, adding: “In the end there had to be a death and we don’t know what has to happen for this to be solved”.
The Cartagena City Council has said the couple has refused assistance from the local social services department on three occasions to find new accommodation.
“That was the solution put forward, but did they really want to go somewhere that did not belong to them?” Mr Suarez said. “They just wanted to stay in their home and for someone to explain to them why they had to move.”
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