In a poignant and tearful interview from her home in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, the devastated grandmother of 13-year-old Alfie Hallett has spoken out about the unimaginable loss of her grandson, who was brutally stabbed to death in Portugal just days before Christmas. Linda Hallett, a grandmother of seven, described Alfie as a “lovely, gentle boy with a heart of gold” and revealed her belief that the teenager met his tragic end while heroically attempting to shield his mother from a violent attack by her former partner.

“I believe Alfie died trying to protect his mother,” Mrs. Hallett said, her voice breaking with emotion as she recounted receiving the devastating news on Christmas Eve morning. “I’m completely shocked, devastated. I’m struggling to come to terms with what happened, quite honestly.” The 13-year-old British boy was found fatally wounded in the family apartment in the small village of Casais, near the central Portuguese city of Tomar, on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. The incident, classified by authorities as domestic violence, also left his 43-year-old British mother severely injured and bound, while the alleged attacker, 43-year-old Goncalo Carvalho, died in a subsequent gas explosion at the scene.

Alfie Hallett’s short life was one of quiet joy and promise, marked by a love for basketball and a kind nature that endeared him to everyone he met. Born in Brighton and raised in nearby Bognor Regis, Alfie moved to Portugal in 2016 at the tender age of four when his mother ended her marriage to his father, Mark Hallett, and relocated with a new partner named Paulo to the Tomar region. The move, intended as a fresh start, ultimately placed the family in a web of escalating danger that culminated in horror.

Mrs. Hallett shared fond memories of her grandson, painting a picture of a boy full of warmth and innocence. “He was such a lovely, gentle boy with a heart of gold,” she repeated, emphasizing his gentle demeanor amid the family’s fractured dynamics. Contact with the British side of the family had been limited in recent years, with the last joyful reunion occurring during Christmas 2018. That year, Alfie’s father, Mark, successfully navigated Portuguese courts to bring his son back to the UK for a two-week holiday. “Mark flew to Portugal that December and got permission to bring Alfie home,” Mrs. Hallett recalled. “It was so wonderful seeing Alfie again. He was so pleased to see his dad and to meet his baby brother Rocco for the first time. Mark spoiled his son rotten during those weeks.”

The visit was filled with simple pleasures—Alfie marveling at Christmas decorations and bonding with his half-sibling. Yet, it would be the final time the extended family gathered. Efforts by Mark to maintain regular contact proved challenging, and the distance grew. Tragically, Mark Hallett passed away some years ago, leaving Linda to grapple with the double sorrow of losing both her son and grandson. “I like to think Mark and Alfie are reunited again somewhere,” she said softly. “But I’m kind of glad that my son wasn’t around when Alfie died. I think he would’ve found the heartache unbearable.”

In Portugal, Alfie had blossomed into a dedicated young athlete, finding community and passion on the basketball court. A standout player for the Sub-14 team at Sport Club Operário de Cem Soldos (SCOCS) in Tomar, he was remembered by coaches and teammates as enthusiastic and talented. Just three days before the tragedy, on Saturday, December 20, Alfie played his final game against Chamusca Basket Clube, delivering a performance so impressive that it left an eerie mark on those who witnessed it. In a heartfelt Facebook tribute accompanied by a photo of Alfie framed in a black ribbon, his club wrote: “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.”

The outpouring of grief from the local sports community was immediate and profound. Opposing team Chamusca Basket Clube expressed deep condolences, while the regional Santarém Basketball Association stated: “We express our deep sorrow over the death of athlete Alfie Hallett. To the family, friends, teammates, and the entire basketball community, we send our deepest condolences.” Parents and fans added personal messages, one writing: “Rest in peace Alfie, the team will never forget you.” Trainer Ana Bengala described the sports world as “deeply shaken by the tragic death of a 13-year-old athlete… a victim of an act of violence deemed utterly incomprehensible.”

The attack unfolded in the ordinarily peaceful village of Casais, a tight-knit community where prior warnings of trouble had gone unheeded to fatal consequences. Neighbors reported frequent arguments and described Carvalho’s behavior as obsessive—he often slept in his car outside the apartment in bids to monitor his ex-partner. Complaints of domestic violence were lodged in 2022 and 2023, with authorities aware of the escalating risk. Luís Freire, president of the local parish council, noted: “There had already been several episodes of violence and, this time, things went very wrong.”

Carvalho’s dark history added a chilling layer: he had previously served nearly 15 years in prison for aggravated homicide, convicted as a young man for stabbing another victim 35 times in a park before being released early on good behavior. Despite the separation, sightings of the couple shopping together as recently as last week suggested a complicated dynamic. On the day of the incident, emergency services responded to reports of domestic disturbance around midday. Officers discovered Alfie in cardiorespiratory arrest with multiple stab wounds, his mother assaulted and tied up, and Carvalho with self-inflicted injuries. A strong gas odor preceded an explosion that injured one responder, believed to have been deliberately caused by the attacker in an apparent murder-suicide attempt.

Alfie’s mother managed to free herself and alert neighbors, leading to her hospitalization for physical injuries and psychological trauma. The British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has offered consular support, while investigations by Portugal’s Polícia Judiciária continue to piece together the full circumstances.

This heartbreaking case has sparked renewed discussions on the perils of domestic violence, particularly in expatriate families where cultural and legal barriers can complicate protection. Advocates highlight the need for more robust interventions when complaints are filed, faster enforcement of restraining measures, and enhanced support for victims in cross-border situations. Shocked locals, like resident Anabela Real Rodrigues, questioned: “How is it possible this has happened! There were complaints about domestic violence. Did a tragedy have to occur?”

As Christmas dawned without Alfie, tributes continued to flood in from both sides of the Channel. His uncle, Kieron Reeves, added to the family statements, calling Alfie “such a good happy young man” who “always showed love and patience.” Vigils are planned in Tomar and UK communities tied to Alfie’s early life in Brighton and Bognor Regis. Memorial funds have emerged to aid bereavement services for families struck by similar overseas tragedies.

In the words of his grandmother, Alfie’s legacy endures as a brave, gentle soul who, in his final moments, embodied selfless courage. “He died trying to protect his mother,” Linda Hallett affirmed, a testament to the profound bond between mother and son amid unspeakable horror. The village of Casais, the basketball courts of Tomar, and a grieving family across the sea mourn a boy whose light was extinguished far too soon, leaving an indelible mark of love and loss.