Laurence Dollimore
AN American priest found dead in a Malaga tourist flat has been named as Father Richard Gross.
The 80-year-old’s body was discovered on January 21, the day after neighbours called in police after hearing ‘agonising screams’ that ‘sounded like someone being killed’.
The Jesuit priest, from Massachusetts, was found with a serious blow to the head and other ‘signs of violence’, reports respected Spanish newspaper El Español.
Police were first called to the apartment block on Calle Viento at around 8.30pm on the night of January 20, after neighbours heard terrifying screams that lasted ‘for around 10 minutes’.
But incredibly, arriving officers did not locate the body that evening, with witnesses unsure which apartment the disturbing noises had come from.
According to El Español, the body was found by an unnamed person the next day, and police had to be called back to the scene.
The working theory is that the priest was the victim of a violent robbery. No arrests have been made.
The horrific killing took place the day before Father Gross was due to board a cruise.
In a statement, the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus said: “Fr. Gross had served a long career at many schools and institutions as a dedicated chaplain, minister, and teacher. He will be missed.”
Father Gross taught at a number of schools, including the prestigious Phillips Academy boarding school, where he worked for more than a decade.
He later worked as a pastor at a string of universities, including the University of Conneticut, Vanderbilt and LaSalle.
Boston College High, where he had been living in a residence, said in a statement: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Father Gross’s family, his brother Jesuits, and all those blessed by his ministry and friendship.
“We pray for his eternal peace and comfort for those mourning his loss.”
Father Gross had just arrived in Malaga for a short holiday when his body was discovered in the rental apartment on Calle Viento, just off the popular Calle Carreteria in the heart of the city’s tourist district.
Police immediately launched a murder investigation after his belongings were found stolen.
A neighbour reported hearing ‘screams of agony’ at around 8.30pm on the night of his death.
They were described as ‘the sounds of someone being murdered’ and the witness suggested it sounded like someone was being smothered.
They said: “I heard a man screaming so much. It felt like someone was smothering him with a pillow, and he was fighting back. The screams continued for about 10 minutes.”
Unable to figure out which flat the screams had come from, she spoke with another resident who hadn’t heard anything, initially calming her fears.
While some residents did contact emergency services and local police attended the scene that night, they were unable to locate the American occupant, who investigators believe was already dead.
Detectives have revealed that the man suffered a fatal head injury inside the flat, although the exact cause of the trauma remains unclear.
