Spanish Serial Killer Jose Jurado Montilla Awaits Trial for New Murders Linked to TikTok Activity

Jose Jurado Montilla is awaiting trial for two murders committed after his 2013 release. Learn about the subject of Netflix's The TikTok Killer.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 7, 2026, 7:06 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from People

The Criminal History of 'El Titi'

Jose Jurado Montilla first gained infamy in the mid 1980s for a series of brutal murders in Spain's Malaga region. His victims included a 57 year old farmer, the chauffeur of a famous flamenco singer, and two international tourists from Germany and the United Kingdom. Montilla was sentenced to 123 years in prison but was released in 2013 following a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that struck down Spain’s Parot Doctrine, which had previously allowed for extended sentences beyond the 30 year maximum.

A Digital Reemergence as 'Dinamita'

Following his release, Montilla created a TikTok account under the pseudonym "Dinamita Montilla," where he documented his travels across Spain and maintained his innocence regarding his past crimes. His social media presence became a central focus for investigators following the 2022 death of a 21 year old college student named David and the 2023 disappearance of Esther Estepa. Authorities believe Montilla used his platform to project a persona of a peaceful hiker while allegedly targeting new victims.

The Disappearance and Discovery of Esther Estepa

Esther Estepa, a 42 year old woman, went missing in August 2023 after meeting Montilla while hiking along the Spanish coast. Despite Montilla’s public appeals on TikTok for her safe return, Estepa's family remained suspicious of his involvement. In May 2024, investigators linked Montilla's DNA to evidence found at the scene of David’s murder. Shortly thereafter, hikers discovered Estepa's remains near Gandia. Digital evidence recovered from Montilla’s phone led prosecutors to believe he had sexually assaulted Estepa before her death.