MADRID — 2003 · Serial Murder
The 'Playing Card Killer' Case
Between 24 January and 18 March 2003, seemingly unconnected shootings in and around Madrid left six people dead and several wounded. Because playing cards were found at the scenes, the press called the perpetrator 'the Playing Card Killer' (El asesino de la baraja). For months police had no leads. On 3 July 2003 a former Spanish Army corporal walked into a police station in Puertollano, turned himself in and confessed to the attacks. Although he changed his account at trial, the Madrid Provincial Court in 2005 sentenced him to 142 years and 3 months for six murders and attempted murders.
- Date
- 2003
- Place
- Madrid, Spain, Madrid, ES
- Category
- Serial Murder
- Case Status
- Solved
- Coordinates
- 40.4168, -3.7038 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 24 January 2003The first shooting took place in Madrid.
- March 2003The attacks continued; playing cards were found at the scenes.
- 18 March 2003The last attack occurred; six people had been killed in total.
- 3 July 2003A former soldier turned himself in to police in Puertollano.
- 2005He was sentenced to 142 years and 3 months in prison.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Alfredo Galán en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Libertad Digital — Condenan al 'asesino de la baraja' a 142 años libertaddigital.com ↗
- Wikipedia
- Libertad Digital
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.