How a TikTok Post Helped Solve the Murder of Tour Guide Esther Estepa
The chilling true crime documentary The TikTok Killer, now streaming on Netflix, unravels the horrifying case of 42-year-old Esther Estepa, whose murder was pieced together through digital clues from TikTok videos, messages, and online activity. This two-part series delves into a disturbing tale of deception, where a convicted killer turned TikTok influencer, José Jurado Montilla, allegedly hid in plain sight while documenting his movements online.
The Victim: A Free Spirit with a Love of Travel
Esther Estepa was raised in Seville and left her hometown in 2013 to embrace a nomadic lifestyle across Spain. Despite her travels, she remained incredibly close to her family, especially her mother, Josefa "Pepa" Pérez, with whom she spoke daily. By 2022, Esther was rebuilding her life after leaving an allegedly abusive relationship, staying in women's shelters across Spain. In August 2023, she met Montilla at a hostel in Alicante, bonding over their shared nomadic ways.
The Digital Trail and Bizarre Messages
According to Montilla, he and Esther traveled together along Spain's east coast, hiking until she fell ill with a swollen leg and severe headache. He claimed to have accompanied her to a health center before she left to meet friends, insisting that was the last time he saw her. However, on August 23, 2023, Esther's mother received strange WhatsApp messages stating Esther was broke and living on the streets in Argentina. Pepa immediately sensed something was wrong, as Esther had no friends there and left behind her beloved dogs, which she would never do voluntarily.
When Pepa demanded a voice note and threatened to go to the police, contact stopped completely. Esther was reported missing on August 26. Montilla then contacted the family, claiming he last saw her on August 21, but his behavior grew unsettling as he kept calling, asked about the investigation, and began retracing their journey in TikTok videos.
Investigators Uncover the Truth Through Digital Footprints
Investigators turned to modern digital forensics, analyzing Esther's digital footprint and Montilla's online activity. TikTok videos, messages, and geolocation data allowed police to reconstruct her final movements in detail. Montilla's own posts placed him with Esther, effectively documenting key moments himself. Director Héctor Muniente noted Montilla's ability to switch emotions instantly, describing it as "watching psychopathy unfold in real time."
A Grim Discovery and Dark Past Revealed
In February 2024, partial human remains, including a skull, were found near Gandía. By June 21, 2024, further remains were discovered, and DNA testing confirmed they belonged to Esther Estepa. Medical experts concluded she died from blunt force trauma to the head. As suspicion grew, Montilla's dark past emerged: he had served 28 years for four brutal murders in the 1980s in Málaga, released in 2013 due to a legal ruling.
By the time Esther's remains were identified, Montilla was already in custody for the murder of a 21-year-old student in Málaga, linked through DNA evidence. Prosecutors allege evidence from his phone connects him to Esther's assault and murder, including photos and videos of a woman's body in a sleeping bag in a remote field. Montilla denies involvement.
A Case Study in Online Manipulation
This case highlights the dangers of trusting online personas. Montilla appeared calm and charismatic on TikTok while allegedly committing violent acts. For Esther's family, the documentary is a fight for answers, as they became investigators themselves, analyzing footage and tracking movements. Questions remain about Esther's final hours and whether there are more victims.
The TikTok Killer serves as a chilling warning about digital deception and the reality behind curated online identities. As of March 2026, José Jurado Montilla remains behind bars in Spain, awaiting trial for the murders of Esther Estepa and a 21-year-old man, allegations he continues to deny.
