Wife of former Qatari prince ‘died of grief’ after losing custody claim

Spanish police are investigating the sudden death of the former wife of a Qatari prince who had accused her ex-husband of abusing one of their daughters.

Provided by The Telegraph Kasia Gallanio, 45, was found dead in her home in Marbella

Kasia Gallanio, 45, was found dead in her home in Marbella on Sunday, just two weeks after she lost a high-profile custody battle in the French courts with Abdelaziz bin Khalifa Al-Thani, who denies any abuse.

Local media reported that she died of an overdose. Authorities in Spain are waiting on the results of a post mortem examination, but police sources have said that there were no apparent signs of violence.

Police visited her house on Sunday after one of Ms Gallanio's daughters had raised the alarm, because her mother had not responded to her calls for four days.

Los Angeles-born Ms Gallanio married the Paris-based uncle of Qatar's emir in 2004. Their separation in 2012 sparked a fierce, high-profile legal battle over custody of their two twins, who are now 17, and a third daughter, who is 15.

She accused Mr Thani of abusing one of their daughters, a claim that is denied by the sheikh's circle but which is currently being investigated by French prosecutors. On May 19, a Paris court dismissed Ms Gallanio's custody claim.

 Provided by The Telegraph Kasia Gallanio is reported to have died of an overdose

"My client was devastated by this decision. I think that, above all, she has died of grief," Sabrina Boesch, Ms Gallanio's lawyer, told Le Parisien.

According to the French newspaper, Ms Gallanio's death could have been due to an overdose of medication.

Ms Gallanio is reported to have spent several weeks in hospital due to depression late last year and has also visited detox clinics in her battle against alcoholism.

Mr Thani has lived in France since 1992, when he was forced into exile over an alleged coup against the leader of Qatar.

The three girls live with their billionaire father on the luxurious Avenue Montaigne off the Champs-Élysées. The 73-year-old is a former minister of oil and of finance in Qatar.

Reference: The Telegraph: James Badcock