AN AMERICAN woman reportedly died after she was strangled for “extreme sex” with her common-law husband, it emerged today.
Jose Betancourt, 50, alleges that Bianca Pitman’s death was an accident that occurred while the couple was playing a rough game that simulated rape.
But the construction boss, also an American, has been placed in preventive detention and an investigating judge specializing in gender violence has taken charge of the case, which has now gone from being a homicide to a homicide investigation.
Bianca, 43, an art teacher and mother of two, reportedly left the couple’s home in San Antonio, Texas, in November to get away from her partner.
He is said to have started a new life in the town of Xativa, near Valencia, on the Costa Blanca.
The couple was staying together in a tourist apartment in Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, where Bianca’s body was found early Saturday morning after Betancourt traveled to Spain to spend a few days on vacation.
Bianca Pitman, 43, secretly disappeared from her home in San Antonio, Texas, in November allegedly to escape her husband José Betancourt, DailyMail.com revealed earlier this week.
Betancourt, 50, is languishing in prison in Spain after a judge ruled Monday that he should be held without bail.
Pitman’s body was found in an apartment in Malaga, Spain, and police initially believed that “extreme sex” had caused her death.
He is said to have left the apartment to call for help at around 5.30am on April 6 after his partner lost consciousness and became unresponsive.
She told first responders that they had been drinking alcohol, including injections, in the hours before Pitman’s death and claimed she had also used drugs before they began engaging in a game of “extreme sex.”
Although the death was initially treated as manslaughter, it was upgraded to manslaughter and Betancourt was sent to Alhaurín de la Torre prison, near Málaga, after appearing in court after an autopsy showed the victim had been strangled.
The investigating judge is now trying to determine whether Bianca was accidentally strangled during the sexual game her partner allegedly engaged in or whether he invented the extreme role play to cover it up.
A friend of the dead woman has now launched a GoFundMe appeal To support his family.
Organizer Grace Teeters said in the appeal: ‘It is with great sadness and deep sadness that we share the devastating news of the loss of Bianca Pitman, 43, a beloved mother, dedicated teacher, animal lover and passionate traveler and artist.
‘Bianca’s life ended tragically on April 6, 2024 in Spain, where she had been teaching English since November.
‘Her unexpected passing has left an unimaginable void not only in the lives of her family but also in the hearts of all who knew her.
‘Bianca was not just a teacher, she was a beacon of light in her community, inspiring countless students with her enthusiasm and love of art.
‘Her spirit of wanderlust was contagious and she always sought to share her adventures and stories with those around her, especially on Snapchat.
Pitman appears with his family on a GoFundMe page that has been created
Pitman worked at San Antonio’s MacArthur High School as an art teacher, where she gave a question-and-answer interview to its online newspaper when she joined.
‘He loved spending quality time with his loved ones and loved trying new things.
“However, the unimaginable has happened.
‘Bianca leaves behind her daughter Promise, 22, and son Gavin, 20, as well as her older brother Graham, 25, who now face the difficult task of navigating life without their beloved mother.
‘Adding to the complexity of this heartbreaking situation, his father is currently in Spain facing charges related to his death.
‘The circumstances surrounding this devastation are still under investigation. With both parents suddenly absent from their lives, the family is in urgent need of support during this turbulent time.
‘As we gather to honor Bianca’s memory, we humbly ask for your help.
“The costs associated with Bianca’s memorialization, including the expenses of cremation and transportation of her remains and personal effects home, travel costs, legal fees and countless unforeseen costs, are significant and overwhelming for her grieving family.”
‘Our goal is to alleviate some of the financial burden placed on Bianca’s loved ones, especially her young adult children, two of whom are college students, as they navigate this loss.
‘Your generosity will allow Bianca’s family to focus on their grief and will also serve as a testament to the charity and love that Bianca inspired in others.
‘Please consider donating if you can, as any amount really helps. You can also help Bianca’s family through this difficult time by sharing it with your loved ones and anyone else who may have known her. Her kindness, compassion and generosity will serve as a ray of hope in these dark times.’
Bianca had posted at the end of March showing that she was in Valencia, Spain.
Pitman spoke warmly of his family, saying: I like spending time with my children, going to see movies, reading books and playing with animals… ‘I really like helping my daughter with her speeches and debates. I have always liked making art, that’s a fact.
The dead woman’s friend, Valerie Dullnig, said earlier this week of Bianca’s decision to leave her husband in the United States: ‘I was with her the day she left. I couldn’t share it with many people.’
She told DailyMail.com, stating that José was “shocked” by the decision: “She and José were not married, but because they were together for so long, they had a common-law marriage.
“I had been in contact with her. She had to get a new phone that she didn’t share with many people.
And he added: “I don’t know how José found out where he was or why they met.” But he has a lot of manipulative tactics.
Bianca had been staying with her common-law husband in a luxury apartment complex in the heart of Malaga’s old town called La Casa del Reloj.
Friends have said they did not know that she had agreed to meet Betancourt in Malaga.
A judicial official stated this Monday: ‘The Investigative Court Number Nine of Malaga, as a duty court, has this afternoon decreed preventive detention for the detainee for the death of his common-law wife.
‘He is a US citizen who is initially being investigated on suspicion of a murder charge.
‘The court on duty is going to refer the case to a court specialized in violence against women, which is the court that will now take charge of this investigation.’
Betancourt is now officially an ‘investigado’ under Spanish law, which literally means he is a person who is under investigation.
In Spain, formal charges are only filed shortly before the trial.
The ongoing criminal investigation will be conducted in private and is expected to last several months, although it could last years.
In Spain only trials take place in public. Remand prisoners can be held behind bars for up to four years in the most extreme cases, although the normal time limit is two years and most are released on bail before the two years are up, although they usually have to accept strict conditions. probation that include a travel ban and regular court registration.