Spain – A social media influencer who became notorious for documenting his life on TikTok was arrested in 2024, after his online presence became a key tool in exposing his dark past. Jose Jurado Montilla, also known as “El Titi” or “Dinamita” on TikTok, had gained followers for his outdoor adventures and self-proclaimed innocence. However, their videos will eventually reveal disturbing contradictions and become a vital part of an investigation that will link them to two brutal murders.
Montilla, 62, previously served time for the murders of four people in Málaga, Spain, in the 1980s, and after being released from prison, he began posting videos depicting him hiking across Spain, often discussing his past and claiming innocence. His content attracted a small following, but it wasn’t until he became embroiled in the disappearance of two people that his TikTok presence exposed his dangerous secrets.
The first victim was 21-year-old David, a university student who went missing after meeting Montilla in 2022. According to police, David had described Montilla to his father as “an older man who looked very suspicious” before his disappearance. When David’s body was later discovered, investigators found Montilla’s DNA on the victim’s belongings, linking him to the crime.
Exactly one year later, 42-year-old Esther Estepa disappeared while hiking off the coast of Spain. Montilla was one of the last people to get in touch with Estepa, and in a bizarre twist, he retraced her steps and posted videos on his TikTok after her disappearance. They even contacted Estepa’s family and expressed their concern over her whereabouts. Through these conversations, investigators began to suspect his involvement in Estepa’s death.
Montilla’s social media activity proved invaluable to investigators. His videos, although initially believed to be innocent, began to expose his lies and contradictions. With hours of footage available to review, detectives noticed unstable patterns in Montilla’s behavior. His ability to suddenly shift between emotions – from happiness to sadness or anger in a matter of seconds – attracted the attention of the team investigating his case. One detail emerged: Montilla’s charm was often accompanied by subtle but menacing gestures, suggesting a deeper personality beneath his public persona.
The breakthrough in the case came when Estepa’s remains were discovered in 2024, revealing Montilla’s involvement in another heinous crime. Further investigation of her phone revealed serious evidence, including evidence that Montilla had sexually assaulted and murdered Estepa. Montilla has since maintained his innocence, but the growing evidence against him has convinced authorities of his case.
For Montilla, his social media fame would eventually lead to his downfall. His posts weren’t just entertainment — they were a digital footprint that traced his every move. While his followers saw an outdoor enthusiast sharing his love of nature, investigators saw a man who used his online persona to conceal his true, nomadic identity.
Today, Montilla remains in custody, awaiting trial for the murders of David and Estepa, and his TikTok collection continues to provide crucial evidence in his case. His story is a reminder of the dangers that can hide behind the seemingly harmless personas people create on social media. In a terrible twist of irony, Montilla’s desire for fame and the public eye may have ultimately exposed his darkest secrets.