In August 2023, 42-year-old Ester Estepa vanished on a hiking trip in Spain after meeting a TikTok influencer known as Dinamita Montilla. When police began investigating her disappearance and subsequent death, however, it was revealed that the man she was hiking with was none other than Spanish serial killer José Jurado Montilla.
The new Netflix documentary The TikTok Killer, which is now streaming, explores 64-year-old Montilla’s gruesome crimes, focusing on his suspected attack of Estepa. The two-part series follows her family’s search for the truth through social media footage and interviews with investigators and relatives.
Here’s what you should know about Montilla’s dark past, his alleged murder of Estepa, and Netflix’s The TikTok Killer.
Who Is José Jurado Montilla?
A convicted killer from Badajoz, Spain, José Jurado Montilla murdered four people in the Málaga region between 1985 and 1987. He killed his first victim, 57-year-old Francisco González, in November 1985, fatally shooting him in a farmhouse. Two years later, Montilla struck again, murdering his second victim, 46-year-old Antonio Paniagua, in a similar fashion in March 1987. That May, the killer struck again when he shot and stabbed two unnamed tourists from Germany and the U.K., leading to his arrest.
While Montilla only admitted to committing one of the murders, he was eventually convicted of all four and sentenced to 123 years in prison. His sentence was cut short, however, thanks to the overturning of a controversial Spanish law. Montilla was released in 2013 after serving just 28 years behind bars.
In the years following his release, Montilla began making travel content on TikTok under the name “Dinamita Montilla,” sharing details of his life as a nomad. But he was not yet done with his life of crime.
What Happened to Ester Estepa?
Montilla met Ester Estepa by chance in the Spanish port city of Alicante in August 2023, and the pair embarked on a hiking trip that lasted several days. On August 20, they stopped in Gandía to look for a place to stay for the night, but were forced to find other accommodations. At the time, Estepa had reportedly injured her leg.
Three days later, Estepa’s mother received a strange message from her daughter that said she was moving to Argentina and wouldn’t be able to communicate with her family anymore. This set off alarm bells, and her mother immediately contacted the police.
In an attempt to divert attention away from himself, Montilla called her mother and offered to help find Estepa, claiming he last saw her on August 21 before she left to meet up with friends. He even posted videos on TikTok inquiring about her sudden disappearance.
It wasn’t long, however, before the authorities learned about Montilla’s true identity and began investigating him. Upon searching his phone, police reportedly found photos and videos of a body in a sleeping bag. They were also able to establish that he had been in the same location with Estepa long after he claimed they parted ways.
Nearly a year after her disappearance, Estepa’s body was found in a remote area in Gandía in June 2024. An autopsy revealed she had been sexually assaulted and hit over the head with a blunt force object.
Where Is “Dinamita” Montilla Today?
During the investigation, Montilla was connected to another murder and was arrested in May 2024. He is suspected of killing a 21-year-old man identified only as David, who was shot to death on a family farm in 2022. Police found DNA evidence on David’s backpack that proved to be a familial match to Montilla.
Today, the 64-year-old is currently in prison in Spain awaiting trial for the murders of both Estepa and David.
How to Watch The TikTok Killer on Netflix
The two-part docuseries The TikTok Killer is now streaming on Netflix. Directed by Héctor Muniente, the series explores the search for Estepa and Montilla’s suspected involvement in her mysterious death.
Catherine Caruso joined the Biography.com staff in August 2024, having previously worked as a freelance journalist for several years. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she studied English literature. When she’s not working on a new story, you can find her reading, hitting the gym, or watching too much TV.
