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Enrique marti vampira raval barcelona Enriqueta Martí leading a child through Barcelonas shadowy Raval district symbolizing her double life and dark crimes Simplyforensic
Enriqueta Martí leading a child through Barcelona’s shadowy Raval district, symbolizing her double life and dark crimes.
Simplyforensic > Blog > Forensic Case Files > Serial Killers > The Vampire of Barcelona: The Shocking Crimes of Enriqueta Martí
Serial Killers

The Vampire of Barcelona: The Shocking Crimes of Enriqueta Martí

Simplyforensic
Last updated: March 21, 2025 11:58 pm
By Simplyforensic
Published: March 21, 2025
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In the bustling streets of early 20th-century Barcelona, Enriqueta Martí wore the guise of a destitute beggar by day, a deceptive mask that hid her identity as one of Spain’s most chilling serial killers. Dubbed the “Vampire of Barcelona,” she preyed on defenseless children from 1900 to 1912, with evidence suggesting she took at least 12 young lives.

Her gruesome activities were halted on February 27, 1912, when authorities raided her home and uncovered a nightmarish scene: blood-soaked clothes, scattered human bones, and jars of preserved remains. These macabre findings pointed to a sinister operation where she crafted supposed “healing” potions for affluent buyers. Further investigation revealed she also managed a brothel serving the city’s upper crust, intertwining her crimes with Barcelona’s elite.

This narrative uncovers the shadowy tale of a woman who terrorized Barcelona, detailing how she evaded justice for over a decade and the events that led to her capture. From her cunning dual existence to her enigmatic end in prison, her story stunned Spain and remains a haunting chapter in its history.

Contents
Who Was Enriqueta Martí: Early Life and BackgroundBirth and childhood in Sant Feliu de LlobregatMove to Barcelona and early employment.Marriage to Juan Pujaló and relationship troublesBarcelona in the Early 1900s: Setting the StageSocial and economic conditionsClass divisions in Barcelona societyThe Tragic Week of 1909 and its aftermathThe Double Life of Enriqueta MartíDaytime beggar and child hunterA nighttime socialite at El LiceuThe brothel business and wealthy clienteleThe Crimes: What Police DiscoveredThe kidnapping of Teresita GuitartThe search of Carrer Ponent apartmentEvidence found in multiple propertiesHuman remains and witch doctor remedies.The Arrest and InvestigationRole of neighbor Claudia ElíasPolice action and original findingsTestimonies of Teresita and AngelitaThe mysterious list of namesFinal Days in Prison and DeathLife in Reina Amalia prisonSuicide attemptCircumstances of her deathBurial in Montjuïc CemeteryTimeline of Events: Enriqueta Martí Case StudyModern Perspectives and Controversies Surrounding the Enriqueta Martí Case1. Media Sensationalism and Lack of Concrete Evidence2. The Mysterious Client List3. Was She a Serial Killer or a Scapegoat?4. Her Death: Justice or Cover-up?ConclusionFAQsQ1. Who was Enriqueta Martí, and what crimes was she known for?Q2. How did Enriqueta Martí manage to avoid detection for so long?Q3. What led to Enriqueta Martí’s eventual arrest?Q4. What shocking evidence did police discover in Martí’s properties?Q5. How did Enriqueta Martí’s case come to an end?References

Who Was Enriqueta Martí: Early Life and Background

Criminal profile of Enriqueta Martí
Criminal profile of Enriqueta Martí

The dark tale of Enriqueta started in a small Catalan town near Barcelona. Her story turned into one of Spain’s most infamous criminal cases. A country girl transformed into Barcelona’s most feared woman through a path of desperation, chances, and behavior that grew more disturbing with time.

Birth and childhood in Sant Feliu de Llobregat

Born on February 2, 1868, in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain, Enriqueta Martí i Ripollés entered a world that had significantly changed. Little is known about her early years, which adds to the mystery of her childhood.

She grew up in a rural community rich with traditional Catalan customs. Local folk practices sometimes bordered on witchcraft. This environment shaped her later interest in making “remedies” that played a big part in her crimes.

We know little about her family’s financial situation or how she grew up. They lived modestly at best. Barcelona’s growth and modernization in the late 19th century gave people from nearby rural areas new chances, and Enriqueta took notice.

Move to Barcelona and early employment.

Barcelona grew into a busy city that attracted countless people from rural areas looking for better lives. Enriqueta was one of them. As a young woman, she moved to the capital of Catalan. Many others made the same choice, as people from the countryside rushed to cities all over Spain.

Like many others in Barcelona, she started working as a maidservant and nanny. These regular jobs helped her get into Barcelona society, even if she was at the bottom. Her work in homes taught her about family life and helped her make useful connections.

Her career path soon changed dramatically. She quit her servant job, maybe because she wasn’t happy or wanted more money. She started working as a prostitute in an upscale brothel. This gave her connections with wealthy clients early in her time in Barcelona.

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She worked mainly in Barcelona’s Raval district, which had narrow streets, lots of people, and a reputation for crime. For years, this area was central to her work and later became linked to her crimes.

Marriage to Juan Pujaló and relationship troubles

Enriqueta married a struggling painter named Juan Pujaló in 1895. The marriage might have been her shot at respectability or real love, but it went bad quickly.

Pujaló later said they had problems from the start. His wife cheated on him many times. Even after getting married, she kept going to brothels and stayed friends with criminals in Barcelona.

Pujaló said his wife had an “unpredictable character.” She kept working as a prostitute after marriage. Her husband said she lived a “double life” – something that became her trademark in her later crimes.

The couple tried to fix things several times. They split up and got back together about six times, showing they had strong feelings despite not getting along.

The marriage fell apart for good by 1907. When police arrested Enriqueta in 1912, she hadn’t lived with Pujaló for five years. They never had children, which seems important given what she later did to young victims.

This rocky personal life taught Enriqueta about Barcelona’s social layers and allowed her to operate without anyone watching too closely. These things helped her commit crimes in different parts of the city later on.

Barcelona in the Early 1900s: Setting the Stage

Barcelona was a city of stark contrasts at the start of the 1900s. This environment allowed Enriqueta Martí to carry out her evil activities unnoticed for years. The city’s quick changes created the perfect hunting ground and customer base for her terrible business.

Social and economic conditions

Barcelona earned its nickname as “the factory of Spain” during this time. The city underwent huge industrial changes that altered its physical and social makeup. It grew beyond its medieval walls to make room for new industries and their workers. The economic power of Catalonia’s economic strength made it Spain’s most prosperous region. This created an environment where Enriqueta found wealthy customers for her darkest services.

The textile industry led this economic boom, but success came with a dark side. The rush to industrialize brought a vast population surge—the number of people living in the city shot up by over 300% between 1850 and 1900, and it doubled again between 1900 and 1930. These conditions made it easy for predators like Enriqueta. Thousands of children from poor families could vanish without anyone looking too hard.

The city drew waves of people from rural areas looking to escape farm life. By the 1920s, about 35% of Barcelona’s people weren’t Catalan—this created communities where newcomers had no safety net and were easy targets.

Class divisions in Barcelona society

The city’s society split sharply by class. Modern industry created conflicts between factory owners and workers. This split created different social circles in which Enriqueta Martí knew how to work. She played both sides, acting poor in working-class areas while dressing up as a rich socialite for her wealthy clients.

The housing crisis made these divisions worse. Working-class areas like the Raval (Enriqueta’s hunting ground) became packed with people. The population density was almost ten times higher than the rest of the city. Eight families squeezed into spaces meant for one. This created conditions where:

  • Kids played in the streets without supervision
  • Parents worked long hours, leaving children alone
  • Nobody knew their neighbors well enough
  • Death and disease were common, so missing people raised a few questions

The church and government failed to protect the vulnerable. Catholic schools used harsh punishment that made children’s suffering seem normal. The police barely looked into cases of missing poor children. Enriqueta took full advantage of this neglect.

The Tragic Week of 1909 and its aftermath

Social tensions boiled over during the infamous Tragic Week, which lasted from July 25 to August 2, 1909. This violent uprising occurred right when Enriqueta was active. The government’s decision to send reserve troops—mostly working-class Catalans—to fight in Morocco sparked the violence. Wealthy families could pay to keep their sons home, which showed how unfair the system was.

The uprising grew beyond just military issues. Law and order broke down completely. Anarchists and Radical Republicans burned about 80 religious buildings, including churches and convents. The violence showed how much Barcelona’s working class hated the Church, which they saw as corrupt and tied to the rich.

This period marked Enriqueta’s first real trouble with the law. Police arrested her at her apartment on Carrer Minerva with a young man from a wealthy family during the Tragic Week. They charged her with running a child brothel. She got away with it—likely because wealthy clients protected her to avoid scandal.

After the uprising, authorities executed five people, including the famous educator Francisco Ferrer. This sparked protests worldwide. The harsh response pushed Barcelona’s workers toward more direct action. People trusted authorities even less, which helped criminals like Enriqueta work in the shadows.

The Double Life of Enriqueta Martí

Enriqueta Martí’s criminal genius was evident in her remarkable skill in maneuvering between Barcelona’s most contrasting social worlds. She created two distinct personas that helped her find victims and profit from her crimes with shocking efficiency.

Daytime beggar and child hunter

Enriqueta carefully chose to wear shabby, tattered clothing during the day, which made her look like Barcelona’s poorest residents. This calculated beggar persona allowed her to blend naturally into the city’s poor neighborhoods without raising any suspicion.

While dressed this way, she methodically searched for vulnerable children throughout Barcelona. The city’s most desperate people gathered at charity houses, convents, parishes, and monasteries, which became her regular spots. She cleverly joined bread queues at these places and patiently watched to pick out children who seemed most abandoned or neglected.

Her approach worked terrifyingly well. Once she spotted a suitable target, she would simply take the child’s hand and pass them off as her own. She was incredibly skilled at changing her victims’ names, clothing, and appearance to avoid detection. She specifically chose children from families with the least resources or social status – people who couldn’t effectively search for their missing children.

A nighttime socialite at El Liceu

Barcelona’s nightfall brought a dramatic change in Enriqueta. Her beggar’s rags gave way to luxurious dresses, hats, wigs, and expensive jewelry—clothes typically worn by aristocrats. This complete transformation created her second identity: a refined socialite who mixed freely with Barcelona’s elite.

El Liceu, the grand opera house, became her favorite spot to find wealthy clients. She also spent time at the Casino de la Arrabassada and other exclusive spots where Barcelona’s upper classes gathered. Nobody in these fancy settings would have linked this elegant woman to the ragged beggar seen in poor areas earlier that day.

Her high-society connections allowed her to market herself as someone who could procure children. She built relationships with influential figures who kept her safe from legal trouble, explaining how she avoided prosecution despite contacting authorities multiple times.

The brothel business and wealthy clientele

Enriqueta opened her own brothel in 1909 during Barcelona’s Tragic Week. The establishment catered to wealthy patrons with “unusual desires.” Rich clients paid premium prices for services they couldn’t find anywhere else.

The brothel’s most disturbing aspect was its offering of sexual services from children between the ages of 3 and 14 years. Her client list reportedly included some of Barcelona’s most prominent citizens whose wealth and influence protected her from investigation.

Along with running the brothel, she worked as a self-proclaimed witch doctor selling grotesque “remedies.” She sold blood-based potions, claiming they could cure tuberculosis, which terrified people at that time. Her products included creams and elixirs supposedly able to stop aging and extend life.

She made these concoctions using the remains of murdered children aged 5 to 15. Barcelona’s wealthy paid huge amounts for these products, either believing they worked or not caring about their source. Reports suggest some high-society women bought these “youth” products, knowing their horrific origins.

Her network of influential connections repeatedly protected her from justice. Police arrested her in 1909 at her Minerva Street apartment, but the case mysteriously disappeared. They found what they called “a true factory for cosmetic products” containing human remains, but powerful interests stopped any prosecution.

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The Crimes: What Police Discovered

“In Martí’s flat they found curious things: an ancient book with parchment covers, a book of notes where she had written recipes and potions in elegant calligraphy, a package of letters and notes written in coded language, and a list with names of families and important figures in Barcelona.” — Wikipedia, Free online encyclopedia

The gruesome truth about Enriqueta’s activities came to light in February 1912. Years of unspeakable crimes had stayed hidden behind her carefully built double life. The police’s findings would shake Barcelona and confirm everyone’s worst fears about missing children.

The kidnapping of Teresita Guitart

Enriqueta took Teresita Guitart Congost on February 10, 1912. The child came from a modest but respected family. Unlike her earlier victims from poor backgrounds, Teresita’s disappearance caused widespread panic. The city searched frantically for two weeks, with her pictures posted all over Barcelona’s streets.

A watchful neighbor, Claudia Elías, made the breakthrough. On February 17, she saw an unknown girl with short hair looking out from a window at number 29 Carrer Ponent (now Joaquin Costa). Elías asked Enriqueta about the child, but she shut the window without answering. This odd behavior made Elías tell the authorities through a local mattress-maker.

The search of Carrer Ponent apartment

Police officers went to Enriqueta’s place on February 27, saying they had complaints about chickens in her apartment. Inside, they found two girls – Teresita and another child named Angelita. Teresita later said Enriqueta had lured her with candy promises, covered her with a black cloth, and brought her to the apartment by force. She cut Teresita’s hair and renamed her “Felicidad.”

Both girls shared terrifying stories of their captivity. Teresita talked about eating stale bread and potatoes. She couldn’t go near windows or enter certain rooms. Angelita’s account was even more disturbing – she had secretly seen Enriqueta kill a five-year-old boy named Pepito on the kitchen table.

Evidence found in multiple properties

The investigators searched several of Enriqueta’s properties. A second look at the Carrer Ponent apartment revealed a sack with bloody children’s clothes, a bloodstained knife, and about thirty small human bones that showed signs of burning. One room stood out strangely – filled with expensive children’s clothing.

The police widened their search to other places where Enriqueta had lived:

  • Carrer Tallers – human remains lay behind false walls
  • Carrer Picalqués – bones turned up
  • Carrer Jocs Florals in Sants – they found a three-year-old child’s skull and bones of children aged 3, 6, and 8 years old.
  • Sant Feliu de Llobregat (her family property) – more child remains in vases and jars

Each location showed signs of methodical murder and dismemberment. Remains were hidden within false walls and ceilings. Forensic experts estimated they had found parts of at least 12 children, mostly from poor families whose disappearances nobody had looked into.

Human remains and witch doctor remedies.

A locked room in the Ponent apartment held the most shocking discovery – about fifty containers filled with preserved human remains. These included coagulated blood, children’s hair, hand skeletons, and powdered bones. Ready-made potions, ointments, and salves sat nearby.

The search revealed an old book with parchment covers, a notebook full of neatly written recipes and potions, and coded letters. They also found a list with names of Barcelona’s prominent families and public figures. Many believed these were her wealthy clients who bought her “remedies” or used her brothel.

These grotesque mixtures supposedly treated tuberculosis, a feared disease at the time. Wealthy clients paid enormous amounts for these “healing elixirs,” anti-aging facial creams, and potions that promised immortality. The horrific truth was that they were made from children’s body fat, blood, and ground bones.

The evidence showed more than just multiple murders. It revealed a criminal enterprise that connected Barcelona’s underworld to its elite through unthinkable trade. This operation ran undetected for years until Teresita’s kidnapping finally brought everything into the open.

The Arrest and Investigation

“Martí claimed that she studied human anatomy, but under pressure from the interrogators she confessed that she was a healer and used children as raw material for the production of her remedies.” — Wikipedia, Free online encyclopedia

A single watchful citizen’s observation led to the capture of Barcelona’s notorious child predator. This case would soon shock all of Spain.

Role of neighbor Claudia Elías

Everything changed when Claudia Elías, who lived at 29 Carrer Ponent, noticed something strange. On February 17, 1912, she spotted a sad-looking girl with short hair at a window she had never seen before. When she asked Enriqueta about the child, she got no answer; Enriqueta just shut the window. Worried about what she saw, Elías told a local mattress maker, who then contacted municipal agent Jose Asens.

Police action and original findings

On February 27, the Ribot brigade officers devised a smart plan. They told Enriqueta they needed to check her apartment because of complaints about chickens. She let them in without any fuss. The officers quickly found two girls inside—Teresita Guitart Congost, who had been missing, and another child named Angelita. This discovery sparked a full investigation that would expose Enriqueta’s terrible crimes.

Testimonies of Teresita and Angelita

The girls’ stories helped investigators understand how Enriqueta worked. Teresita said Enriqueta had lured her with candy, then covered her with a black cloth and dragged her to the apartment. She cut Teresita’s hair, called her “Felicidad,” and claimed she was her mother now.

Angelita’s story was even more terrifying. She said she saw Enriqueta murder a five-year-old boy named Pepito right on the kitchen table. Scared out of her mind, Angelita hid in bed and pretended to sleep.

The mysterious list of names

The investigators found something that raised serious questions—a list of Barcelona’s elite and public figures. People started wondering if these were Enriqueta’s wealthy clients who bought her “remedies” or used her illegal services. The authorities kept this list secret, making people think they were protecting influential individuals from scandal.

Final Days in Prison and Death

Enriqueta’s story moved toward its final chapter after her arrest. Justice seemed within reach, but fate had different plans for Barcelona’s notorious child killer. Her time in prison would be unexpectedly short.

Life in Reina Amalia prison

Authorities detained Enriqueta in Barcelona’s Reina Amalia prison after her February 1912 arrest. The facility became her new home until its demolition in 1936. Prison officials kept her under close watch due to the public outrage her case had sparked. The authorities tried to calm public sentiment through newspaper articles. They claimed the infamous list in her possession had names of families she begged from rather than her wealthy clients. This response came from their fear of riots that could mirror those during the Tragic Week.

Suicide attempt

Enriqueta became more desperate during her confinement. She tried to end her life with a wooden knife by slashing her wrists in a disturbing turn of events. The attempt failed, and prison authorities assigned three inmates to keep constant watch over her. Public anger intensified after her suicide attempt. Citizens just needed her to face trial and execution by garrote for her crimes. Prison officials announced measures to prevent more suicide attempts. They seemed determined to make Enriqueta face justice.

Circumstances of her death

Enriqueta never faced trial for her crimes. She died in prison on May 12, 1913—one year and three months after her arrest. Her death’s circumstances remain controversial today. Two different stories exist: the official report cited uterine cancer, while many sources claim fellow inmates lynched her in one of the prison patios. Some theories suggest her wealthy clients might have coordinated the lynching to avoid exposure during a public trial.

Burial in Montjuïc Cemetery

Enriqueta’s remains ended up in a common grave at Cementerio del Sudoeste (Montjuïc Cemetery) through a secretive burial. The cemetery opened in 1883 on Montjuïc hill’s steep, rocky slopes as Barcelona’s main burial ground. Officials kept her burial secret due to concerns about public reaction. Her sudden death prevented a complete investigation into her crimes. Many questions remained unanswered, possibly protecting influential figures connected to her dark enterprises.

Timeline of Events: Enriqueta Martí Case Study

1868 – Birth: Enriqueta Martí i Ripollés is born in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain. Little is known of her early life, but she grew up in a rural setting before moving to Barcelona as a young woman.

Late 1880s – Early 1890s – Move to Barcelona and turn to Prostitution: Martí relocates to Barcelona, seeking work. She initially finds employment as a maidservant and nanny for wealthy families, exposing her to the city’s stark social divide. Struggling to make a living, she turns to prostitution, working in brothels and independently in areas like the Port of Barcelona and the Raval district.

1895 – Marriage: Martí marries Juan Pujaló, a painter. Their relationship is tumultuous, marked by separations due to her affairs, unpredictable behavior, and continued involvement in prostitution. They reconcile and separate multiple times over the years, producing no children.

Early 1900s – Dual Life Emerges and Witch-Doctor Persona: Martí begins living a double life. She dresses in rags daily and begs with children (often not her own) to elicit sympathy and income. By night, she engages with Barcelona’s elite, possibly as a procurer or prostitute, building connections with wealthy clients. She then starts posing as a healer or “witch doctor,” selling potions and remedies purportedly made from questionable ingredients, targeting affluent customers seeking cures for diseases like tuberculosis.

1909 – First Arrest: Martí is arrested at her flat on Minerva Street, accused of running a brothel offering children to wealthy clients. A young man from a prominent family is also detained. Due to her alleged connections with influential figures, she avoids trial and is released.

February 10, 1912 – The kidnapping of Teresita Guitart: Martí abducts Teresita Guitart Congost, a young girl, sparking a citywide search. This event becomes the catalyst for her eventual downfall.

February 17, 1912 – Suspicion Arises: A neighbor, Claudia Elías, spots Teresita in Martí’s flat at 29 Carrer de Ponent (now Carrer Joaquín Costa) and grows suspicious after Martí evasively shuts her window. Elías alerts a mattress maker, who informs authorities.

February 27, 1912 – Arrest and Search: Police, led by Chief Ribot, raid Martí’s flat under the pretext of a complaint about illegal chickens. They find two girls, Teresita Guitart and Angelita, whom Martí claims are her daughters. Teresita recounts being lured with candy and abducted. Evidence of human remains—bones, blood, and jars—emerges during subsequent searches, fueling the “Vampire of Barcelona” legend. Investigations of Martí’s previous residences (e.g., Tallers Street, Picalquers Street, and a house in Sants) uncover more remains, false walls, and items suggesting gruesome activities.

March 1912 Public Outcry and Media Frenzy: Newspapers label Martí “The Vampire of Barcelona,” “The Vampire of the Raval,” and “The Vampire of Carrer Ponent,” alleging she killed dozens of children, drank their blood, and sold their remains as remedies or prostituted them. Rumors circulate of a client list implicating Barcelona’s elite, though authorities claim it’s a list of begging targets.

Juan Pujaló’s Testimony: Martí’s estranged husband voluntarily testifies, denying Angelita is their child and confirming their long separation. Martí later admits Angelita was stolen from her sister-in-law, María Pujaló.

1912-1913 – Imprisonment: Martí is detained in Reina Amalia prison awaiting trial. The case stalls, possibly due to her declining health or efforts to suppress scandalous revelations about her alleged high-society clients.

May 12, 1913 – Death: Martí dies in prison, officially from uterine cancer, though some accounts claim she was lynched or beaten to death by fellow inmates, possibly to silence her. She is buried in a common grave at Montjuïc Cemetery, ending her legal proceedings before a trial.

Modern Perspectives and Controversies Surrounding the Enriqueta Martí Case

While Enriqueta Martí remains infamous as “The Vampire of Barcelona,” modern historians and forensic experts have questioned the extent of her alleged crimes. Over time, sensationalist media and urban legends may have distorted the truth, raising doubts about the validity of many accusations against her.

1. Media Sensationalism and Lack of Concrete Evidence

Martí’s arrest in 1912 occurred in an era when newspapers relied on shocking stories to boost circulation. Reports of her abducting and murdering children, selling their remains, and running a brothel catering to the elite were mainly based on police statements and public speculation rather than verified forensic evidence. Although investigators found human remains in her residence, no formal autopsy reports exist confirming systematic murder.

Some historians argue that Martí’s case was exaggerated to divert public attention from Barcelona’s deeper societal issues, such as poverty, child neglect, and political unrest. The city’s high crime rates and the exploitation of children in factories and the streets may have contributed to the widespread belief that a single figure was responsible for numerous disappearances.

2. The Mysterious Client List

One of the most controversial aspects of the case is the alleged list of wealthy clients in Martí’s possession. Some believe that influential figures in Barcelona’s upper class used their power to suppress investigations and eliminate records linking them to her activities. The list, which supposedly contained names of prominent officials, disappeared from police archives, fueling conspiracy theories that Martí was a scapegoat used to protect more powerful criminals.

3. Was She a Serial Killer or a Scapegoat?

The lack of a proper trial due to her death in custody left many unanswered questions. Unlike documented serial killers with clear patterns of killing and disposing of victims, Martí’s supposed methods remain speculative. Some researchers propose that she was involved in illegal child trafficking and possibly abuse but may not have been responsible for as many murders as initially claimed.

Furthermore, many of the gruesome details about her practices—such as making “potions” from children’s remains—closely resemble old European folklore about witches. Some believe these claims were exaggerated or entirely fabricated, playing into societal fears of the time rather than being based on actual forensic findings.

4. Her Death: Justice or Cover-up?

Martí’s death in prison on May 12, 1913, was officially attributed to cancer. Still, many believe she was murdered by fellow inmates or possibly silenced to prevent a trial that could have exposed more profound corruption. Without a public court case, many crucial details about her activities and potential accomplices were lost, ensuring that the full truth would never be revealed.

Conclusion

Enriqueta Martí remains one of Barcelona’s darkest and most haunting figures, embodying the stark social contrasts of early 20th-century Spain. Living a double life—posing as both a destitute beggar and a refined socialite—she preyed on the city’s most vulnerable while allegedly catering to its most powerful. Although authorities uncovered evidence of child abductions, murders, and macabre “remedies,” the true scale of her crimes remains uncertain, clouded by missing records and unproven accusations.

Her death in prison—whether from illness or inmate violence—sealed many secrets, including the fate of a mysterious client list that may have implicated influential figures. The case exposed deep societal inequalities, corruption, and the neglect of the poor, particularly children. Enriqueta Martí’s story endures as a chilling tale of cruelty and a grim reminder of how easily the most vulnerable can vanish in a society willing to look the other way.

Read more serial killer Profiles on our website to learn about other chilling cases that shaped criminal history. Barcelona’s “Vampire” left a dark legacy that reminds us how dangerous predators can walk freely among us, hiding behind carefully crafted personas.

FAQs

Q1. Who was Enriqueta Martí, and what crimes was she known for?

Enriqueta Martí was a notorious criminal in early 20th century Barcelona, known as “The Vampire of Barcelona.” She kidnapped and murdered children, using their remains to create “medicinal” potions for wealthy clients. She also ran a brothel catering to Barcelona’s elite.

Q2. How did Enriqueta Martí manage to avoid detection for so long?

Martí maintained a double life, appearing as a humble beggar during the day while transforming into a socialite at night. She targeted vulnerable children from poor families whose disappearances often went uninvestigated. Her connections with wealthy and influential clients also provided her with protection.

Q3. What led to Enriqueta Martí’s eventual arrest?

Martí’s downfall began when she kidnapped Teresita Guitart, a child from a respected family. A vigilant neighbor noticed the girl in Martí’s apartment and alerted authorities. This led to a police investigation that uncovered evidence of her crimes across multiple properties.

Q4. What shocking evidence did police discover in Martí’s properties?

Police found human remains, including bones, blood, and hair from multiple children. They also discovered potions, ointments, and salves made from these remains. A list of prominent Barcelona families and public figures was found, believed to identify her wealthy clients.

Q5. How did Enriqueta Martí’s case come to an end?

Martí died in prison in 1913, about a year after her arrest. The official cause was listed as uterine cancer, though some sources claim fellow inmates lynched her. Her death before trial left many questions unanswered and potentially protected influential figures connected to her crimes.

References

References & Further Readings

  • https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/barcelona-workers-rebellion
  • https://mail.murderpedia.org/female.M/m/marti-enriqueta.htm
  • https://medium.com/crimebeat/enriqueta-marti-the-vampire-of-barcelona-5a245492de25
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enriqueta_Martí
  • https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-vampire-of-barcelona-shadows-marc-pastor-enriqueta-marti/
  • https://vocal.media/criminal/enriqueta-marti-the-macabre-story-of-the-raval-s-vampiress
  • https://www.historicmysteries.com/history/enriqueta-marti/32848/
  • https://substack.com/home/post/p-126535061?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
  • https://prezi.com/u7qihcltobwh/final-project-criminal/
  • https://m.facebook.com/leavingwellmt/videos/enriqueta-martí-often-called-the-vampire-of-barcelona-was-accused-of-abducting-a/609465654853424/
TAGGED:Child MurdersEnriqueta MartíFemale Serial KillersHistorical CrimesSerial KillersSpanish Serial KillersVampire of Barcelona
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BySimplyforensic
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Forensic Analyst by Profession. With Simplyforensic.com striving to provide a one-stop-all-in-one platform with accessible, reliable, and media-rich content related to forensic science. Education background in B.Sc.Biotechnology and Master of Science in forensic science.
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