Ex-British Soldier Murdered Girlfriend in Spanish Hotel Room Strangulation Using Hair Straightener Power Cord

Keith Byrne, 34, killed mother-of-one Kirsty Ward by strangling her with a hair straightener power cord, a jury in Spain found

A former British soldier has been found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Kirsty Ward, during a holiday in Spain, and now faces up to 30 years in prison.

Keith Byrne, 34, was convicted of killing 36-year-old Ward by strangling her with a hair straightener cord at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in Salou on Spain’s Costa Daurada on July 2, 2023. The court in Tarragona heard that Byrne attacked the mother-of-one after she told him she planned to end their relationship and return home to Ireland.

Ms Ward's mother told the court: 'She did everything for her son. She would never ever leave him'

During the trial, Byrne claimed that Ward died by suicide, asserting that she had used the cable to hang herself from a doorknob. He denied being violent and portrayed himself as a "respectful and intelligent" father of three. He attempted to shift blame by describing Ward as volatile and addicted to alcohol and cocaine, which he claimed contributed to the toxicity of their relationship.

However, the jury rejected his version of events. Forensic evidence revealed that Ward was strangled from behind between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the night of her death, while heavily under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, leaving her unable to defend herself. No evidence of a knot was found in the cable, contradicting Byrne’s suicide narrative.

Ms Ward had planned to leave Byrne during their 'make or break' holiday and had a ticket booked to return home to Dublin on July 4 2023, her mother said

Public prosecutor Javier Goimil, a domestic violence specialist, argued that Byrne acted out of possessiveness and rage, stating: “You're mine or you're nobody’s.” He lowered his sentencing request from 21 to 20 years, citing Byrne’s intoxicated state as a mitigating factor. However, the private prosecutor representing Ward’s family is pursuing the maximum sentence of 30 years.

Goimil also pointed out that Ward had made plans to leave Byrne and had already purchased a return ticket to Dublin for July 4, just two days after the fatal incident. Her mother, Jackie Ward, testified that her daughter would never have taken her own life, especially not with her 14-year-old son Evan in mind. “She did everything for her son. She would never ever leave him,” she told the court.

In a statement, the family of Ms Ward thanked the jury for 'seeing and believing in what was the truth about our beautiful Kirsty

The prosecution emphasized the deliberate nature of the killing, describing it as a "violent and painful" strangulation driven by a refusal to accept Ward’s independence and desire to end the relationship. "She decided to end it... and her partner couldn't accept that decision," said Goimil.

Byrne's defense lawyer had sought an acquittal, and following the verdict, requested the judge to impose the minimum possible sentence.

It was also revealed during the proceedings that Byrne had previously gone AWOL from the British Army in 2017 and was wanted by the Royal Military Police.

The couple had been staying at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in the popular Costa Daurada resort of Salou

Following the conviction, Ward’s family expressed their gratitude to the jury, law enforcement, and legal teams. “Thank you for seeing and believing in what was the truth about our beautiful Kirsty, that her life was taken from her, and that we were robbed of her and the beautiful life she could have had,” they said in a statement.

They requested privacy to grieve, as they continue to process the tragedy that has unfolded over the past two years. In a tribute following her death, Kirsty’s mother described her as “a fantastic friend,” “an absolutely adored daughter,” and “an amazing mother” to her son. “She was a caring sister, a cherished granddaughter, and a loyal friend. I hope to continue the great work she has done,” she added.

Byrne’s sentencing is expected in the coming weeks.