An American woman reported to have died after 'extreme sex' with her common-law husband was strangled, it emerged today.

Jose Betancourt, 50, is alleging Bianca Pitman's death was an accident that occurred while the couple were playing a hardcore game simulating a rape.

But the construction boss, who is also American, has been remanded in prison and an investigating judge specializing in gender violence has taken over the case which has now been upgraded from a manslaughter to a homicide probe.

Art teacher mum-of-two Bianca, 43, reportedly left the couple's home in San Antonio, Texas, in November to move away from her partner.

She is said to have started a new life in the town of Xativa near Valencia on the Costa Blanca.

The couple had been staying together at a tourist apartment in Malaga on the Costa del Sol where Bianca's body was found in the early hours of Saturday morning after Betancourt travelled to Spain for a few days' vacation.

Bianca Pitman, 43, secretly vanished from her home in San Antonio, Texas, in November allegedly to escape from her husband Jose Betancourt, DailyMail.com revealed earlier this week

Betancourt, 50, is languishing in prison in Spain after a judge on Monday ruled he should be detained without bail

Pitman's body was found in an apartment in Malaga, Spain, with cops initially believing 'extreme sex' had led to her death 

He is said to have left the apartment to ask for help around 5.30am on April 6 after his partner lost consciousness and became unresponsive.

He told the first responders they had been drinking alcohol including shots in the hours leading up to Pitman's death and claimed she had also consumed drugs before they started engaging in an 'extreme sex' game.

Although the death was initially treated as manslaughter, it was upgraded to homicide and Betancourt sent to Alhaurin de la Torre prison near Malaga following a court appearance after the autopsy showed the victim had been strangled.

The investigating judge is now trying to establish whether Bianca was strangled by accident during the sex game her partner claims they were engaging in, or if he invented the extreme role-playing as a cover-up.

A friend of the dead woman has now launched a GoFundMe appeal to support her family.

Organizer Grace Teeters said in the appeal: 'With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we share the devastating news of the loss of Bianca Pitman, 43, a beloved mother, dedicated teacher, animal lover, and passionate traveler and artist.

'Bianca's life was tragically cut short on April 6, 2024, in Spain, where she had been teaching English since November.

'Her unexpected passing has left an unimaginable void not only in the lives of her family but also in the hearts of all who knew her.

'Bianca was not just a teacher, she was a beacon of light in her community, inspiring countless students with her enthusiasm and love of art.

'Her spirit of wanderlust was infectious and she always sought to share her adventures and stories with those around her, especially on Snapchat.

Pitman shown with her family on a GoFundMe page that has been set up 

Pitman worked at San Antonio's MacArthur High School as an art teacher where she gave a Q&A interview to its online newspaper when she joined

'She loved to spend quality time with her loved ones, and she loved to try new things.

'However, the unimaginable has happened.

'Bianca leaves behind daughter Promise, 22, and son Gavin, 20, as well as their older brother Graham, 25, who all now face the daunting task of navigating life without their cherished mother.

'Adding to the complexity of this heartbreaking situation, their father is currently in Spain facing charges related to her passing.

'The circumstances surrounding this devastation are still under investigation. With both parents suddenly absent from their lives, the family is left in dire need of support during this turbulent time.

'As we come together to honour Bianca's memory, we are humbly asking for your help.

'The costs associated with memorializing Bianca, including the expenses of cremation and transporting her remains and personal effects home, travel costs, legal fees, and countless unforeseen costs, are significant and overwhelming for her grieving family.'

'Our goal is to alleviate some of the financial burden weighing heavily on Bianca's loved ones, especially her young adult children, two of whom are college students, as they navigate this loss.

'Your generosity will allow Bianca's family to focus on their grief as well as serve as a testament to the charity and love Bianca inspired in others.

'Please consider donating if you can, as any amount truly helps. You can also help Bianca's family through this difficult time by sharing this with your loved ones and anyone else who knew her. Your kindness, compassion, and generosity will serve as a beacon of hope in this time of darkness.'

Bianca had posted in late March showing that she was in Valencia, Spain 

Pitman spoke warmly of her family, saying: I like spending time with my kids, going to see movies, reading books and https://nhanlambangcap24h.com/ playing with animals… 'I really like helping my daughter with her speech and debate stuff. I always love making art, that's a given'

The dead woman's friend Valerie Dullnig, said earlier this week of Bianca's decision to leave her husband in the States: 'I was with her the day she left. She could not share it with many people.'

She told DailyMail.com, claiming Jose was 'blindsided' by the decision: ''She and Jose were not married but as they were together so long, they had a common law marriage.

'I'd been in touch with her. She had to get a new phone that she didn't share with many people.'

She added: 'I don't know how Jose found out where she was or why they met up. But he has a lot of manipulative tactics.'

Bianca had been staying with her common-law husband at a luxury apartment complex in the heart of Malaga's old town called The Clock House.

Friends have said they were not aware she had agreed to meet up with Betancourt in Malaga.

A court official said on Monday: 'Malaga's court of Investigation Number Nine, acting as a duty court, has this afternoon decreed the remand in custody or the man arrested over the death of his common-law wife.

'He is an American citizen who in principle is being investigated on suspicion of a charge of homicide.

'The duty court is going to refer the case to a court specializing in violence against women, which is the court that will now take over this investigation.'

Betancourt is officially now an 'investigado' under Spanish law, which literally means he is a person who is under investigation.

Formal charges are only laid in Spain shortly before trial.

The ongoing criminal probe will be conducted in private and is expected to last several months although it could go on for years.

Only trials in Spain take place in public. Remand prisoners can be held behind bars for up to four years in the most extreme cases, although the normal time limit is two years and most are released on bail before the two years are up although they normally have to agree to strict conditional release conditions which include a travel ban and regular signing-on at court.

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Fundraiser by Grace Teeters : In Memory of Bianca Pitman: Supporting Her Family