On the morning of December 23, 2025, a small town in central Portugal was left reeling after the shocking death of 13-year-old Alfie Hallett, a British boy remembered by those who knew him as gentle, joyful, and deeply loved. Alfie, born in Brighton and raised in Bognor, was found dead at his family home in Casais, near Tomar, about 90 minutes north of Lisbon, after a brutal attack that has shaken both the local Portuguese community and friends and relatives back in the UK.
According to police reports cited by Metro, Alfie was stabbed by his mother’s ex-partner, 45-year-old Goncalo Carvalho, who had a violent past and was recently released early from prison after serving nearly 15 years for stabbing. Carvalho, a shop worker, was no stranger to the family. The authorities revealed that the household had been flagged for domestic violence cases in both 2022 and 2023, painting a troubling picture of ongoing turmoil behind closed doors.
The events of that Tuesday morning unfolded with terrifying speed. Carvalho allegedly broke into the family’s home, stabbing Alfie in an apparent act of rage. He then turned on Alfie’s mother, tying her hands and feet and assaulting her before barricading himself inside the house. Despite her injuries, Alfie’s mother managed to free herself and alert neighbors, a desperate act that may have prevented further tragedy. When the National Republican Guard (GNR) arrived on the scene, they encountered a strong smell of gas inside the home. Moments later, a blast ripped through the property, injuring one of the responding officers and killing Carvalho.
As reported by The Daily Mail, Alfie’s grandmother, Linda Hallett, shared that Alfie lost his life trying to protect his mother from her ex-boyfriend. “He was a lovely, gentle boy with a heart of gold,” she said, recalling the last time she saw her grandson around Christmas 2018. “Looking back, he was so happy then. He really was a jolly little soul who loved to sing and dance.” The family’s history is marked by separation and distance; Alfie’s parents parted ways when he was about four years old, and his mother moved to Portugal with her new partner, Paulo. The last family reunion, according to Linda Hallett, was years ago when Alfie’s father, Mark Hallett, flew to Portugal to bring him home for Christmas.
The aftermath of the attack left many questions unanswered. Both Alfie and Carvalho were found with multiple injuries caused by a bladed weapon, and while vital signs were initially detected, Alfie was declared dead at the scene. An autopsy was expected to determine whether Alfie died from the stabbing or the subsequent explosion, according to Metro. The blast that followed the stabbing not only killed Carvalho but also injured a police officer, underscoring the chaos and danger responders faced in trying to save lives.
Carvalho’s violent history was no secret. Local reports, including those from The Daily Mail, described him as having served a lengthy sentence for stabbing a man 35 times—a conviction for aggravated homicide. His early release for good behavior proved tragically short-lived, with fatal consequences for Alfie and trauma for the surviving family members.
Tributes poured in from both sides of the Channel. Alfie’s uncle, Kieron Reeves, told Metro, “He was such a good happy young man, he always showed love and patience and this was shown in everything he did.” The sense of loss was echoed by Alfie’s basketball coach, Ana Bengala. She described the sports community as “deeply shaken by the tragic death of a 13-year-old athlete from the Sub-14 Basketball team of SCOCS, a victim of an act of violence deemed utterly incomprehensible.” Bengala went on to say that Alfie was a “cherished member of the sports family” who had left an “indelible mark.”
The regional Santarem Basketball Association also expressed its sorrow, stating, “We express our deep sorrow over the death of athlete Alfie Hallett. To the family, friends, teammates and the entire basketball community, the Santarem Basketball Association sends its deepest condolences.” Alfie’s club, Sport Club Operario de Cem Soldos, shared a heartfelt message on Facebook, translated by The Daily Mail: “Our athlete Alfie passed away today aged 13. Played his last game Saturday, played so well seemed like he knew it was his last game. We want to tell you how much we love you and that you will always be in our hearts. Rest in peace.”
For many in Tomar and the wider region, the loss was not just personal but communal. The incident has reignited concerns about domestic violence and the protection of vulnerable families. Portuguese police confirmed to Metro that the family had previously come to their attention due to domestic violence reports in 2022 and 2023. The case has prompted renewed scrutiny of how such warnings are handled and whether more could have been done to prevent this tragedy.
In the UK, the shockwaves were also felt. The Foreign Office released a statement, as reported by Metro, saying, “We are in contact with the local authorities following an incident in Portugal, and stand ready to provide consular support.” No request for assistance had yet been received from the family, but the offer remained open.
The details of Alfie’s final moments remain under investigation. While the autopsy will clarify the immediate cause of death, the broader story is already painfully clear: a young life cut short by violence, a family shattered, and a community left to mourn. The tragedy has also brought attention to the challenges faced by families living abroad, especially those navigating complex relationships and histories of abuse.
Yet amid the grief, there are glimmers of Alfie’s spirit and the impact he had on those around him. His grandmother’s memory of a “jolly little soul who loved to sing and dance” and his coach’s recollection of a dedicated teammate offer a portrait of a boy who brought light to those he met. As the Santarem Basketball Association and his club teammates mourn, their words serve as a reminder that Alfie’s kindness and joy will not be forgotten.
The events in Casais are a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of vigilance and support for at-risk families. For now, Alfie’s community—both in Portugal and the UK—grapples with loss, but also with memories of a boy whose short life touched many hearts.
