Kids Orphaned After Dad On Hunger Strike Killed Mum

Story ByAna LacasaSub EditorJoseph GolderAgencyCentral European News 

These two children have been orphaned after their dad who is suspected of bludgeoning their mum to death with a hammer died from the self-inflicted neck injuries he sustained on the same fateful day.

Last month, Matias Bernal, 37, was charged with the murder of his wife Maria Laura Sirera, 34, a lawyer and former politician, who was reportedly killed by 18 blows to the head with a hammer.

Picture Credit: CEN/@lauritasirera

On the same day as Sirera’s body was found, Bernal was discovered in his car in the town of Presidente Derqui in the eastern Argentine province of Buenos Aires with self-inflicted neck injuries and he had been hospitalised ever since, according to reports.

Despite being hospitalised, local media said he was interrogated and formally charged with his wife’s murder which took place during a row over finishing their relationship.

He reportedly died of an infection to the injuries he inflicted on himself.

Picture Credit: CEN/@lauritasirera

Doctors said that he did not want to eat in the last weeks of treatment.

According to local media, he was found in his Ford Ka on the fateful day and was taken to hospital with neck injuries while the police went to check on his home in the neighbourhood of La Terraza.

At his house, cops found the dead body of his wife face-down on the floor with multiple blows to the head and a crushed skull, according to reports.

Picture Credit: CEN/@lauritasirera

The autopsy revealed that she had been struck 18 times in the head with a hammer found at the scene, according to local media.

The couple had two young sons, aged eight and six years, who have not been named and who reportedly did not witness the crime as they were staying at their grandparents’ house at the time.

They were in the process of separating when Bernal allegedly killed Sirera.

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