| Luis Gregorio Ramirez Maestre | |
| Birth Name: | Luis Gregorio Ramirez Maestre |
| Alias: | "The Monster of Tenerife" |
| Birth Date: | 30 September 1980 |
| Birth Place: | Valledupar, Colombia |
| Conviction: | Murder |
| Sentence: | 34 years in jail |
| Victims: | 30 |
| Beginyear: | 2010 |
| Endyear: | 2012 |
| Country: | Colombia |
| Apprehended: | 2012 |
Luis Gregorio Ramírez Maestre (born September 30, 1980) is a Colombian serial killer who has been convicted of murdering thirty people in various municipalities and cities in Colombia, including Tenerife, Sabanalarga, Aguachica, Santa Marta, Valledupar and Puerto Wilches.[1]
Ramírez targeted motorists between 19 and 30 years of age, none of whom measured more than 1.70 meters tall or weighed more than 60 kilos. This was done in order to make them submit easily. His tactic was simple and effective. He took advantage of his charisma and loquacity to generate trust. He asked to be taken on a motorcycle taxi to a carefully chosen place, on the outskirts of the cities where he acted. Taking advantage of the fact that he was in the back of the vehicle and after talking with the driver all the way, when they stopped he held the driver by the throat and suffocated them, taking care of them to not die, until they lost consciousness.
The vast majority of people were killed by suffocation or torture, according to examinations of forensics experts.[2] Also he kept several personal objects from victims, like wallets, cards, cell phones, helmets, etc. Ramírez only confessed to the murder of a person known as John Jairo Amador de la Rosa, after authorities found the body wrapped up in ropes.[3]
It is believed that the murderer was only dedicated to stealing motorcycles in various municipalities, but according to several specialists, Ramírez acted in an antisocial way, similar to a psychopath.
He was captured in 2012. He was ultimately found guilty of several murders and sentenced to 57 years in prison, later lowered to 34 years for "acceptance of charges".[4]
Luis Gregorio Ramírez Maestre will be released from prison in the year 2032 when he has been in prison for 20 years, due to the reductions of sentences in the Colombian justice system of three fifths of the sentence.