Authorities have expanded their investigation into the murder of 15-year-old Cloe in Orihuela Costa, and are now focusing on a second minor who allegedly played a role in the crime.
Initially, the main suspect was Cloe’s ex-boyfriend, a 17-year-old who was arrested shortly after the killing. However, a classmate of Cloe from IES Playa Flamenca, has now been called to testify.
Judicial Proceedings
Sources have confirmed that the second suspect is scheduled to appear before the Juvenile Court in Alicante this Wednesday following the earlier court appearance of the primary suspect, who was arrested at his home in Los Balcones.
The Night of the Murder
The murder took place on November 24, the night before the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Cloe had arranged to meet her ex-boyfriend in La Florida, after ending their relationship. Investigators believe that during this meeting, the suspect slashed her throat, leaving her dying from the injuries.
Cloe’s Desperate Attempt to Find Help
After the attack, Cloe struggled to reach her brother’s home in Calle Venus, about 200 meters away, passing through a narrow alleyway. Despite an immediate clean-up effort, traces of blood and a handprint smeared on the wall remained, marking the site of her tragic last moments. Her brother rushed her to Torrevieja Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Meanwhile, the primary suspect fled toward La Florida’s western park, near the crime scene. He was later apprehended and is currently being held in a juvenile detention centre awaiting trial.
Institutional Response and Public Outcry
In response to the murder, the Valencian Consell approved legal action, classifying Cloe as a victim of gender-based violence.
The murder sent shockwaves through the La Florida community and IES Playa Flamenca, leading to the formation of the “In Memory of Cloe” platform. On January 25, the group organised a memorial where they demanded that the park across from the school be renamed “Cloe Tirelli Youth Park”.
See also: Tears and tributes
Supporters also want the alleyway where she was killed transformed into a memorial space. Since the tragedy, the site has become an impromptu shrine, filled with flowers, heartfelt messages, and tributes. Notes left by friends express grief and love, with words like:
“You were an amazing friend; you didn’t deserve this.” and “Fly high, Cloe.”
A School in Crisis: IES Playa Flamenca
Since Cloe’s murder, violent incidents at IES Playa Flamenca have escalated. Local police confirm that fights are becoming more frequent, despite increased patrols and efforts from the juvenile unit.
Parents’ associations have long raised concerns, describing the school—home to over 1,000 students—as a “breeding ground for crime.” Reports indicate issues with:
- Fights and assaults
- Bullying and abuse
- Underage drinking and drug use
- Weapons and truancy
Earlier this school year, a 12-year-old girl was hospitalized following a brutal beating.
Drugs, Crime, and the “Casa del Chino”
There are also reports of drug dealers near the school, supplying students with small amounts of narcotics for free to get them hooked, later recruiting them for petty crimes such as phone theft and drug dealing. Many of these young recruits carry knives for protection.
The main suspect in Cloe’s murder was known to frequent the infamous “Casa del Chino”, an abandoned residential complex that has become a hub for drug use and illegal gatherings. The unfinished building, located near the alley where Cloe was killed, has become a hotspot for criminal activity in recent years.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to gather evidence, and with the emergence of a second suspect, the case is still developing. The justice system, local government, and community remain under pressure to address both Cloe’s murder and the broader safety crisis affecting young people in Orihuela Costa although 4 months after Cloe’s tragic death there is still no sign of any progress .
