Vitomiricë: Woman killed by relative minutes after reporting domestic violence

Arlinda Sylaj Zekaj, a 49-year-old woman, was killed in the village of Vitomiricë, Peja, on the evening of October 25, 2026. The incident occurred approximately ten minutes after she was escorted home by a police patrol following an interview with domestic violence investigators.

Authorities suspect her brother-in-law, Albert Sylaj, of the killing. It is alleged that he struck the victim in the head with an axe before fleeing the scene in a red Volkswagen Golf 3. Police discovered the victim lifeless in her bedroom after receiving a report of a murder at the same address.

The Basic Prosecution in Peja confirmed that regional police, the Chief Prosecutor, and prosecutors from the Serious Crimes Department have been deployed to investigate the circumstances. The victim's lawyer stated that Arlinda had previously expressed explicit fears for her life.