Cristina Pérez Galcenco, a rising international runway model, was found dead at her home in Caleta de Vélez, Málaga, on February 3, leaving the fashion world in shock at just 21 years old. Friends and locals in the Costa del Sol learned early that morning when her housemates called emergency services after finding her unresponsive. Paramedics arrived but could not revive her. Spanish authorities have said there were no signs of violence at the scene and early reports point to natural causes, though exact medical details have not been released.
Born in Lanzarote in 2004, Cristina moved with her family to Lugones in Asturias as a baby. She grew up there, surrounded by sport and style. Her father, José Ignacio “Nacho” Pérez Solmo, played professional football as a goalkeeper, and her mother, Tatiana Galcenco, was also involved in modeling. Growing up in that mix of athletic discipline and creative expression shaped her early path.
Cristina’s journey in fashion began at 14 when she first stepped onto the runway at the Pasarela Campoamor in Oviedo. The event is a beloved showcase in northern Spain and quickly became a launchpad for her ambitions. In the years that followed, she took her talent beyond Spain, walking runways in major fashion capitals like Madrid, Paris, and Milan, and even working in China. Her presence was noted in campaigns for respected brands and in fashion weeks where designers, photographers, and critics gather from around the world.
Those who knew her spoke of more than her height or stride. Colleagues and industry friends remembered Cristina for her professionalism and warmth, a rare mix in a field that often feels fast and transactional. Organizers of the Pasarela Campoamor paid tribute to her with photos and memories of her early days on the catwalk, reminding followers that behind her rising career was a young woman with friends, family, and stories beyond the spotlight.
At the time of her death, Cristina had moved to Málaga to take a course and continue growing. Local outlets report she had a close circle of friends and was planning more steps in her life both professionally and personally. Her passing has stirred not just the fashion press but also her home region’s community, where many watched her first steps into the industry.
Her remains are to be laid in state beginning Friday, February 6, at the Puente Nora funeral home in Lugones, with a funeral service scheduled for Saturday at the San Félix parish church. Family, friends and colleagues are expected to gather to honor her memory in the town where her story first began.
Cristina Pérez Galcenco’s life was a blend of early promise and global ambition. In just a few short years, she carved her name into an industry known for its intensity and impermanence. Her sudden death is a reminder of the fragility of life, even for those whose path seems so full of promise.
