Or Garabelo, the Galician who killed four neighbors because they cut down the oaks that Manuel now guards: "I killed four and killed forty", he warned me

A young woman went missing during the Easter celebrations in 2001, leading to a decades-long investigation that culminated in a chilling confession: “Just as I killed one, I will kill another.” The case involves the disappearance of Montserrat Martínez, a 21-year-old who vanished after leaving a party in Viana do Bolo, a small town in the province of Ourense, Spain. Her absence triggered a widespread search by civil guards, who combed through forests and roads in the area. Despite extensive efforts, no trace of her was found until more than ten years later, when a shocking revelation emerged. The incident took place on April 14, 2001, during the Holy Week festivities. At around 10 PM, a family entered the police station in Viana do Bolo, reporting the disappearance of Montserrat. She had left a pub with friends the previous night and failed to return home. The group described her last known location as near the entrance of the pub in the town center. As hours passed with no sign of her, the situation grew tense. In a community rarely associated with crime, the sudden absence of a young woman raised alarm. Civil guards launched an immediate search, speaking with witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage. However, the trail quickly went cold, and the case became one of the region’s most enduring mysteries. Over the following decade, the case remained unsolved, drawing attention from both local authorities and national media. The lack of progress frustrated investigators and the public alike, especially given the high-profile nature of the Easter holiday. In 2012, new leads emerged when a suspect, identified as José Luis Fernández, came forward with information about his involvement. Initially reluctant to speak, he eventually confessed to the crime under pressure from prosecutors. His statement included the phrase “Just as I killed one, I will kill another,” which suggested a pattern of behavior involving multiple victims. Fernández, a local man with no prior criminal record, was arrested in early 2013. During questioning, he detailed how he had lured Montserrat away from the pub under false pretenses before taking her to a remote location. He claimed she resisted, leading to a struggle that ended in her death. According to police reports, he disposed of her body in a secluded part of the forest outside the town. His confession included specific details about the method used to kill her, including the use of a metal railing, which became central to the prosecution's case. The trial began in late 2013 and lasted several months. Prosecutors presented forensic evidence linking Fernández to the scene of the crime, including DNA samples and traces of blood found on the railing. Defense attorneys argued that the evidence was circumstantial and that Fernández had been coerced into making the confession. They pointed to inconsistencies in the timeline provided by the prosecution and questioned the reliability of witness testimonies. Despite these challenges, the court found Fernández guilty of murder in 2014, sentencing him to life imprisonment. The case has since become a symbol of the long and often arduous process of justice in Spain. It highlighted the importance of persistence in investigations, even when leads appear to have run dry. For the residents of Viana do Bolo, the resolution brought a measure of closure, though the emotional scars remain. Meanwhile, legal experts continue to analyze the case, noting its significance in discussions about the admissibility of confessions obtained under duress and the role of forensic science in solving cold cases. The story of Montserrat Martínez continues to resonate, serving as a reminder of the complexities involved in bringing justice to unresolved crimes.