Lars Broberg, the Swedish businessman and husband of Marbella Mayor Ángeles Muñoz, died yesterday.

He was 79 and had been suffering from ill health for a number of years.

Lars and his brother Jim established the hugely successful WASA company and in the 80s was responsible for major developments in the Marbella area, including La Quinta.

More recently, however, Lars had been implicated in the alleged crimes – including belonging to a criminal organisation and money laundering – of his son by a previous marriage, Joakim. Ill health meant that the case against him had been suspended.
Lars was admitted to the Hospital Costa del Sol on Saturday morning amid growing health concerns. He died that afternoon, with the funeral service set to take place in San Pedro this Sunday.