What happens when a murder goes viral? As much as posing a question like this feels like reducing a tragic loss to a trend, it’s a question that many have been asking since the disappearance of 42-year-old Ester Estapa.
Now, Netflix has just released a two-part docuseries that follows her family’s investigation through digital footprints to uncover what happened to Ester in her final days… and the TikTok influencer who left the trail.
Here’s everything you need to know about Netflix’s new docuseries, The TikTok Killer:
What is The TikTok Killer Docuseries about?
The TikTok Killer centres around Ester Estapa’s family’s search for truth and reveals the powerful role the internet plays as its own historical archive.
In August 2023, Ester disappeared in Gandía, Spain after connecting with a man she met on TikTok.
After suddenly vanishing without a word to those close to her, it led to a nationwide investigation in Spain.
Directed by Héctor Muniente and produced by iZen Documentales, viewers can investigate the truth alongside Ester’s family, tracing her final days through a series of messages, videos, and content posted online.
Audiences will also be granted access into intimate interviews with investigators and those close to her, ultimately showing the scary realisation people had when they noticed that the last person to see Ester alive had a dark past.
Who is the TikTok Killer?
The influencer Ester connected with was 64-year-old José Jurado Montilla (or ‘Dinaminta Montilla’ on TikTok) – a TikTok travel content creator known for his charisma and charm.
While none of his videos gave the impression of danger (although this is often the case with psychopaths), it was revealed that José had been convicted of murder in the past.
Sorry, just adding yet another example to my ever-growing list of ‘things I cannot trust.’
According to The Mirror US and A&E, he was responsible for the murders of German and British tourists in the eighties. He was also accused of killing a 21-year-old student on a family farm in Málaga, according to AOL. He was sentenced to 123 years in prison, and yet only served 28.
José was released in December 2013 due to a landmark ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding the “Parot Doctrine”, according to AOL. That is, he was released on good behaviour.
And it didn’t last long.
What happened to Ester Estapa?
Ester and Montilla met in Alicante, on Spain’s East coast.
The pair then allegedly embarked on a multi-day hiking route together, according to Lifestyle Asia, eventually reaching Gandía around August 20, 2023.
The last message her family received from Ester was a WhatsApp message on August 23, 2023, that her mother immediately could tell was off.
After demanding a voice message, she lost all contact with Ester.
A year later, Ester’s body was found in June 2024 in a secluded area near Gandía, according to AOL and The Olive Press Spain.
After searching Montilla’s phone and finding images of a woman’s sleeping bag in a field, the police connected him to the crime.
Where is José now?
José is still awaiting his trial for the murders of the 21-year-old student and Ester Estepa.
He is currently in prison and faces the possibility of a life sentence.
Where can you watch The TikTok Killer?
The TikTok Killer can be streamed on Netflix and premieres on Friday, March 6.
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