A 13-year-old British boy who is said to have been stabbed to death by his mother’s ex-boyfriend in Portugal has been pictured.
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Alfie Hallet by his local basketball team, who said he had ‘left an indelible mark’ on those who knew him.
Authorities say the youngster was murdered before the alleged killer died in a gas explosion in the parish of Casais, in Tomar, on Tuesday.
He was fatally stabbed inside his family home by the 43-year-old suspect, a Portuguese national with a criminal record.
CNN Portugal says the suspect was his mother’s ex-partner, who had previously served a prison sentence for aggravated homicide, after being convicted of stabbing another man 35 times.
Local media have said that the family had been known to authorities, with the boy himself having bravely filed complaints about domestic violence between 2022 and 2023.
Reports from SIC Notícias said the situation had been reported again in 2023, after which the couple separated, although neighbours said the man continued to visit the property regularly.
The man allegedly responsible has been pictured and named locally as 43-year-old Goncalo Carvalho, a convicted killer who had served nearly 15 years in prison for a savage park stabbing before being released from prison early for good behaviour.
Alfie’s mum had reported her former partner, said by neighbours to have spent many nights sleeping in his car outside the home she shared with her son, as part of his ‘obsessive’ attempts to keep her under control.
Alfie Hallett has been named as the boy who was allegedly stabbed to death by his mother’s ex-boyfriend in Portugal
Police believe shop worker Carvalho stabbed Alfie to death after attacking his mum and used the same knife to seriously injure himself.
He is said to have then deliberately barricaded himself inside their property, causing a gas explosion as emergency responders arrived just after midday yesterday, which left a police officer injured.
Alfie’s mum, who had been assaulted before having her hands and feet tied, was taken to the hospital after freeing herself and seeking help from neighbours.
Emotional tributes have begun to pour in for the youngster as the community comes to grips with what happened.
The basketball section of Tomar-based Sport Club Operario Cem Soldos (SCOCS) said late yesterday in a message alongside a black ribbon photo of Alfie: ‘SCOCS BASKETBALL has just become poorer today!!!
‘Our athlete Alfie passed away today at the age of 13. He played his last game on Saturday, played so well that it seemed like he knew it was his last game but far from imagining it….. We want to tell you how much we love you and that you will always be in our hearts ♥️ Rest in peace.’
Trainer Ana Bengala was quoted locally as saying: ‘The sports community was deeply shaken by the tragic death of a 13-year-old athlete from the Sub-14 Basketball team of SCOCS, a victim of an act of violence deemed utterly incomprehensible.
‘The news generated great sorrow among athletes, coaches, managers, parents, and members, who are united in this moment of pain and mourning. The young athlete was seen as a cherished member of the sports family, leaving an indelible mark on all who interacted with him.
‘The memory of the athlete will remain alive within the club and among all those who had the privilege of knowing him.’
The regional Santarem Basketball Association added: ‘We express our deep sorrow over the death of athlete Alfie Hallett.
‘To the family, friends, teammates and the entire basketball community, the Santarem Basketball Association sends its deepest condolences.’
Chamusca Basket Clube, who Alfie played against on Saturday, said in its own tribute: ‘With deep pain we express our most condolences over the death of the little boy Alfie Hallett who loved playing basketball in Sport Operario Cem Soldos and has left us tragically.
‘At this moment of great sadness, we express our solidarity with the family, friends and all those who share this irreparable loss. We hope you find solace in the great memories and strength to deal with these difficult moments.
‘The match on Saturday here at Chamusca Basket Clube remains in our memories.’
According to reports, Alfie had previously bravely lodged a complaint to authorities
Local media have reported that Carvalho had been convicted of murder when he was 19 after stabbing another man to death by knifing him 35 times in a park.
He was from Tomar and is believed to have been released from prison early for good behaviour around a decade ago after serving 14 years inside.
In their first and only official comments so far about the incident, a spokesman for Portugal’s Policia Judiciaria force said yesterday: ‘The Polícia Judiciaria, through the Criminal Investigation Department of Leiria, is conducting an investigating to clarify the circumstances of two deaths that occurred this morning in the parish of Casais in Tomar.
‘These are the deaths by stabbing of a 13-year-old boy and that of the presumed perpetrator, his mother’s former partner, who herself was found by authorities with signs of having been bound and assaulted and has since been taken to the nearest hospital.
‘Both the alleged assailant and the minor had multiple stab wounds. Despite vital signs still being detected, death was declared at the scene moments later.
‘Following an alert about what appeared to be a domestic violence situation, the GNR police force was dispatched to the scene.
‘Inside the residence, there was a strong smell of gas, which moments later resulted in an explosion that injured one of the GNR officers.
‘The alleged perpetrator had already served a prison sentence for homicide, and the family had been flagged following domestic violence cases registered in 2022 and 2023.’
Luis Freire, leader of the local parish council, said: ‘There had been a number of violent episodes between the couple and I think the GNR police force was aware of that. This time round the outcome was a very bad one.’
Neighbour Jaime Lopes, one of the people the boy’s mum is said to have turned to for help, said: ‘She was very scared, very badly beaten on her face.
‘It seemed to me that even her teeth were broken. She had a lot of blood on her hands and plastic ties around them and on her ankles.’
Adding that the woman and her child had lived in the area for at least two years and locals sometimes heard arguments at the property, he continued: ‘The only thing we thought was ‘one of these days something is going to happen’ because the suspect is not a good guy.’
Tributes have begun to pour in for Alfie, with a basket ball coach describing him as a ‘cherished member of the sports family’
One local, referencing the homicide the suspect had already served time for in prison, said: ‘The individual in question spent several years in jail for killing a man who was stabbed dozens of times.
‘He was let out of jail early for good behaviour after a few years and didn’t serve all his time inside. And now he’s gone and committed the same type of crime.’
Another, writing on social media, replied: ‘I remember that crime well, and I couldn’t believe it when I saw how early on he left prison.’
Shocked local Anabela Real Rodrigues reacted by saying: ‘How is it possible this has happened! There were complaints about domestic violence. Did a tragedy have to occur? At least the person responsible won’t be able to kill anyone else now.’
A Foreign Office spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘We are in contact with the local authorities following an incident in Portugal, and stand ready to provide consular support.
‘We have not been approached for consular assistance, but our staff stand ready to support British Nationals overseas 24/7.’
It continued: ‘In cases of British Nationals who die abroad, we provide assistance in line with the persons needs and offer tailored bereavement packs for the relevant country, which set out local rules and procedures, including registering a death, funerals and cremations, and bringing a person’s body or ashes to the UK.’
