'Macabre' tattoo used as clue in Spanish murder case

Spanish police believe a murder suspect's tattoo may help identify the date on which his alleged victim died.

The body of a woman identified only as Lisa was found last week in the Bavarian town of Freyung, Germany. Initial autopsy results showed she had died some three weeks previously, but the date of her death could not be determined, says BBC News.

Lisa's German boyfriend was later arrested in Catalonia, where he was found with the couple's 18-month-old son.

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A photograph released by Spanish police shows what The Sun describes as a "grisly inking" on the suspect's left shoulder: a fresh tattoo with the word "Lisa" and what appear to be the dates of her birth and death, the latter reading "27.10.2016". Below is the message: "Gracias por todo" ("Thanks for everything").

The man is suspected of slitting his girlfriend's throat before fleeing to Spain.

"The crime he was wanted for took place at the end of last month when German police found the body of the victim, a woman aged 20, in rubbish bags at the couple's home," said police.

They added: "Spanish police were tipped off early on in the investigation that he could be in Spain. When he was arrested the alleged killer was sporting several tattoos, including one with the name of his partner, her date of birth, a cross with the date of 27 October 2016 and the inscription 'Gracias por todo' in Spanish.

"This most recent and macabre one with the October 27 date on it can be interpreted as the date of her death."