Francisco García Escalero

Serial killer

11known / alleged victims

Similar offenders

José Antonio Rodríguez Vega Serial killer · Spain · 1987 José Antonio Rodríguez Vega was a Spanish serial killer nicknamed El Mataviejas… 16 victims

Joan Vila Dilme Serial killer · Spain · 2009 Joan Vila Dilme was a security guard and care-home worker at the La Caritat hom… 11 victims

Alfredo Galán Serial killer · Spain · 2003 Alfredo Galán Sotillo (born April 5, 1978) was a Spanish serial killer. · Janua… 6 victims

Francisca Ballesteros Serial killer · Spain · 1990 Francisca Ballesteros was born in 1969 and was a Spanish serial killer. She was… 3 victims

Luis Alfredo Garavito Serial killer · Colombia/Ecuador · 1992 Luis Alfredo Garavito Cubillos, also known as "La Bestia" ("The Beast") or "Tri… 192 victims

Rodney Alcala Serial killer · USA · 1977 Rodney James Alcala (born August 23, 1943) was also known as Rodrigo Jacques Al… 100 victims

Random profiles

DA David Dene Martin Murderer · USA · 1977 David Dene Martin was executed by electrocution on January 4, 1985. Martin had… 4 victims

Rudolf Pleil Serial killer · Germany · 1946 Rudolf Pleil was convicted in connection with manslaughter in the axe killing o… 25 victims

Brian Field Murderer · United Kingdom · 1968 Brian Field was convicted of the murder, rape, and strangling of 14-year-old bo… 1 victim

Graham Young Homicide - Murderer · United Kingdom · 1962 Graham Young was convicted as a “Teacup Poisoner” for poisoning multiple people… 3 victims

James Karis Murderer · USA · 1981 James Karis (full name: James Leslie Karis Jr.) was convicted in connection wit… 1 victim

JO John Ashley Brown Murderer · USA · 1984 John Ashley Brown, Jr. was an American murderer. He died on April 24, 1997. Bro… 1 victim

Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: Spain
Location: Madrid, Spain
Date of birth: May 24, 1948
Age at first offence: 39
Characteristics: necrophilia, cannibalism
Victim profile: Men and women (mostly beggars)
Method of murder: Stabbing with knife - Crushing his head with a stone
Date(s) of murder: 1987 - 1994
Years active: 1987–1994
Date of arrest: April 1994
Status: Declared insane in February 1995; confined in a psychiatric hospital

Case Summary

Case record: Francisco García Escalero

Background

Francisco García Escalero was born on May 24, 1948 in Madrid, Spain. He was described as a beggar Spanish serial killer who killed 11 individuals between 1987 and 1994. He practiced necrophilia and cannibalism.

As a boy, Escalero received a poor and deficient education and enjoyed walking through the cemetery. His father hated him and gave him many beatings.

At age 16, Escalero was confined in a psychiatric hospital. He committed many thefts to survive. He looked at couples and naked women to masturbate.

In 1973, Escalero was confined in a reformatory after stealing a motorbike. He was released in 1975.

In 1975, Escalero committed his first serious crime when he raped a girl with his friends. He raped the girl in front of her boyfriend. He was arrested and sentenced to a term of 12 years of prison.

When he was released in 1984, Escalero was unemployed and started a career as a beggar. He liked to drink mixes of alcohol with tablets, so he sometimes showed violent and aggressive behaviour. He suffered hallucinations that impulsed him to kill.

The offence

Escalero killed the prostitute Paula Martínez in August 1987. He decapitated and burned her.

In March 1988, Escalero killed a beggar called Juan. Escalero stabbed Juan before crushing his head with a stone.

Months later, another beggar was found dead seriously burned.

Escalero continued killing many more people, practicing acts of necrophilia and cannibalism. He assaulted the cemeteries and stole many bodies to have sex with them.

In March 1989, a beggar called Ángel was found dead, decapitated and without his fingertips.

In May 1989, another beggar called Julio was found dead seriously stabbed, without his penis and burned.

Investigation and escape

In 1994, the police was alerted by a psychiatric hospital that two men had escaped. The men were Francisco Garcia Escalero and his friend Víctor Luis Criado. Both men were drunk.

Two days later, the police found Víctor Luis Criado dead with his skull crushed and burned.

During the police investigation, Escalero attempted suicide on the street but only fractured a leg. At the hospital, he confessed the murders and asked the nurses for him to be arrested.

Arrest

Francisco Garcia Escalero was finally arrested in April 1994 by the police.

Trial and mental status

Escalero went to trial in February 1995. He was declared insane with a severe mental disorder caused by his alcoholism and his schizophrenia. He was confined in a psychiatric hospital.

Outcome

Escalero was declared insane in February 1995 and was confined in a psychiatric hospital.

Other details

A total of 11 individuals were killed between 1987 and 1994.

Spotted an error, or have more information about this case?