Susqueda couple believed murdered

Marc H.L., 23 and Paula M.P., 21, from Arenys de Munt and Cabrils (Barcelona province) respectively, had been on holiday in the area and went out kayaking on Thursday, August 24 in the giant lake.

Their blow-up kayak was found half-deflated near where they had parked their car, which had been pushed into the water, and two bodies fitting their description were discovered earlier this week.

Investigators say the bodies were naked and had been attacked with 'more than one type of weapon'.

Marc was wearing a backpack filled with large, heavy stones.

They have not been formally identified, as it has not been possible to take their fingerprints due to so much time underwater, meaning forensics will have to resort to DNA testing and dental records.

A post-mortem is due to be carried out tomorrow (Thursday).

Police say the young man had several injuries to his chest and hands, which may have been inflicted by a knife and his girlfriend appears to have a hole in her which could have been caused by a blow from a sharp object or even a bullet.

Her body was found lying across the wall at the edge of the lake, apparently having risen to the surface more quickly.

Police suspect she had also been wearing a rucksack filled with stones, but that it had come off, causing her to float.

Her body had been exposed to the sun, hinting that when the water levels went down towards the end of the summer, she rose to the surface.

The couple had planned to visit Tamariu, in Palafrugell (Girona province) and Montseny as well as going sailing in Marc's kayak in the swamp.

Their car was last seen at a restaurant close by, near a cashpoint where they had withdrawn money.

The area where the alleged double murder happened is a dense forest which has become the site of a number of noisy parties at night, causing complaints from nearby residents, and also illegal fishing and squatted farmhouses.