The Mossos d'Esquadra have confirmed the discovery of a mummified body in a forested area of Molins de Rei, believed to be that of an elderly man who went missing after a fire at his home on 24 July.
The body was found on Thursday, 4 September 2026, around 1:00 PM by a local resident picking wild figs near the Can Rabella farmhouse and the Vallvidrera stream. The hiker came across the remains off the Can Rabella path and immediately called emergency services on 112. Officers from the Guàrdia Urbana of Molins de Rei were first to arrive and contacted the Mossos, who took over the investigation and removed the body.
The corpse was in an advanced state of decomposition with a mummified appearance, surprising investigators given that just over a month had passed since the man’s disappearance. Experts suggest the extreme summer temperatures may have accelerated dehydration and tissue drying, leading to mummification.
Identification Underway
Forensic teams from the Mossos d'Esquadra are working to formally identify the body, as facial features could not be used due to the condition of the remains. Investigators are cross-referencing fingerprints with official databases, focusing on a man last seen on 24 July at his residence on Montserrat Street, number 33, in the Ángel neighbourhood.
The fire at the property was reported at 2:02 PM that day and extinguished by the Generalitat Fire Department within 40 minutes. No injuries were recorded, but the man was not found at the scene, prompting a missing persons inquiry the following day.
Investigation into Cause
Sources close to the investigation told El Llobregat that one line of inquiry is the man may have intentionally set the fire before leaving. However, authorities have not ruled out accidental causes, such as an electrical fault or oversight involving combustible materials.
The only hypothesis the Mossos have completely ruled out is a violent death.
The exact cause and circumstances of death remain unclear and are still under investigation. The death could have resulted from natural causes, an accident, or other non-criminal factors.
Primary sources: govern.cat, ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by lavanguardia.com, lavictoriadigital.com, viumolinsderei.com, El Llobregat, lapremsadelbaix.es, La Vanguardia Barcelona.
