The TikTok Killer: Unraveling the Crimes of José Jurado Montilla
The case of José Jurado Montilla, dubbed “Dinamita Montilla,” has resurfaced in the public consciousness with the release of a new Netflix docuseries focusing on the 2023 disappearance and subsequent murder of Ester Estepa, a 42-year-old woman from Seville, Spain. Estepa’s body was discovered a month after she vanished, in an agricultural area near Gandía, Valencia. People.com reports that Estepa is not the only victim linked to Montilla, with investigators suspecting him in the deaths of at least five other women. The moniker “Dinamita” originated from his activity on TikTok, where he posted videos detailing his travels across the Iberian Peninsula under the username ‘DinamitaJuradoMontilla’ – an account that is now defunct.
Montilla’s TikTok presence, though seemingly innocuous, proved crucial to law enforcement’s pursuit. The account, which amassed nearly 4,000 followers and over 1,600 likes, featured videos set to music by artists like Julio Iglesias and Boney M, alongside travelogues and personal reflections, even alluding to his past imprisonment. His digital footprint revealed a nomadic lifestyle, traveling by bus and train and often staying in budget accommodations or sleeping outdoors. Unbeknownst to him, police were tracking his movements, ultimately leading to his arrest at the Bar Benito in Valdebótoa, Badajoz, after he inadvertently posted videos placing him at the location in the days leading up to his capture. This case highlights the increasingly vital role social media plays in both criminal activity and its investigation.
A History of Violence: Decades of Crimes
José Jurado Montilla has a long and disturbing criminal history, having already served 28 years in prison for four murders. Time Magazine details how, in addition to these convictions, he is currently a suspect in two more deaths for which he has yet to be sentenced. The most recent victim before Ester Estepa was David, a 21-year-old computer engineering student whose disappearance in August 2022 sparked a frantic search.
David was last seen heading towards a tool shed owned by his parents in the Los Ciegos area of Montes, Guadalmedina, intending to collect carob pods with permission from the landowners. He sent a WhatsApp message to his family stating he had encountered “an old man who looked like he was a mess,” armed with a hunting rifle – a description that ultimately led investigators to Montilla. David’s body was later found on the property, bearing two gunshot wounds to the head. The investigation was complicated by Montilla’s use of aliases, requiring authorities to painstakingly reconstruct his family tree, tracing records back to 1949 and eventually to baptismal records from 1871 to confirm his identity. This meticulous genealogical work ultimately led them to José Jurado Montilla, also known as ‘El Titi’ or ‘Dinamita Montilla,’ a nickname earned in his youth after an incident involving excessive gunpowder during a fireworks display in Galicia.
The Earlier Murders: Málaga in the 1980s
Montilla’s criminal career began decades ago, with four murders committed in Málaga during the 1980s. He was initially sentenced to 123 years in prison, but ultimately served 28. His victims included Francisco González, a 57-year-old neighbor who was shot while walking near his farm; two tourists – a British and a German national – who were camping in El Chorro and were found with gunshot and knife wounds; and Antonio Paniagua, a 46-year-old former chauffeur for flamenco singer Juanito Valderrama, whose partially burned body was discovered in a rural house in Campanillas. These earlier crimes demonstrate a pattern of violence and a disregard for human life that would tragically continue for decades.
Following the murder of David, Montilla was re-arrested and returned to prison in May 2024. This arrest drew the attention of the family of Ester Estepa, who had disappeared in Gandía, Valencia, in August 2023. Montilla was identified as one of the last people to have seen Estepa alive, as evidenced by a photograph circulating on social media. Police reports suggest Montilla may have sexually assaulted Estepa before killing her. Biography reports that the investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge.
The Role of Social Media in the Investigation
The case of José Jurado Montilla underscores the complex relationship between social media and criminal investigations. While Montilla used TikTok to document his travels and seemingly share aspects of his life, this remarkably platform inadvertently provided crucial clues to investigators. His posts allowed police to track his movements across multiple regions of Spain, including Andalusia, Murcia, Valencia, Vizcaya, Guipúzcoa, Madrid, and Badajoz. The ability to geolocate his posts and identify patterns in his travel ultimately led to his arrest. This case serves as a cautionary tale about the permanence of online information and its potential use in criminal investigations. It also highlights the evolving tactics law enforcement agencies are employing to leverage social media data in their pursuit of justice.
The investigation into Ester Estepa’s death and the other crimes attributed to Montilla remains active. Authorities continue to gather evidence and build a comprehensive case against him. The Netflix docuseries has brought renewed attention to these cold cases and the devastating impact of Montilla’s actions on the victims’ families. As of March 12, 2026, Montilla remains in custody, awaiting further legal proceedings. The next scheduled court date is currently set for April 15, 2026, where preliminary hearings regarding the Estepa case are expected to grab place. Readers interested in following the developments of this case are encouraged to monitor official reports from Spanish law enforcement agencies and reputable news sources.
Key Takeaways:
- José Jurado Montilla, known as “Dinamita Montilla,” is suspected in the deaths of at least six women over several decades.
- His TikTok account inadvertently aided investigators in tracking his movements and ultimately led to his arrest.
- Montilla has a long history of violence, with prior convictions for four murders committed in the 1980s.
- The case highlights the increasing importance of social media in both criminal activity and law enforcement investigations.
If you have any information related to these cases, please contact the Spanish National Police. We encourage readers to share their thoughts and engage in respectful discussion in the comments section below.