Miguel Blesa found dead from a gunshot wound

Miguel Blesa, an iconic figure of the great recession and the financial excesses at the head of Caja Madrid from 1996 to 2009, died yesterday in Villanueva del Rey (Córdoba) victim of a gunshot to the chest incurred with a hunting rifle at the age of 69. Police are now investigating whether his death was accidental or if he decided to take his own life.

Sentenced to six years in prison in February for the case of fraudulent use of credit cards by directors of Caja Madrid, Blesa was waiting on the result of an appeal of this sentence and also to take the stand again as an accused in the case of inflated salaries in his time in the government of the Community of Madrid.

While no details will be released until after the autopsy, police are assuming his death to be a case of suicide. Blesa had been a public figure before the corruption scandals had come to light and had shown little patience with the press or public once they did. Generally thought to be a haughty figure, Blesa was seen as having always weathered the storm even in the most difficult times.

Just a few days ago, Blesa retired to a hunting estate belonging to his family at Villanueva del Rey. This morning, after having breakfast with friends he said he was going to move his car but failed to return. He was found dead in the car.