In February 2018, an 8-year-old boy vanished while walking to his cousins’ home in Las Hortichuelas, Spain, sparking a massive search.
Search efforts and initial suspicions
The search for Gabriel Cruz, 8, lasted 12 days, involving 1,500 officers and 2,500 volunteers, including his family. His father’s partner, Ana Julia Quezada, was among those involved in the search. Authorities initially considered the boy’s mother’s ex-partner, who had a court order to stay away from the family, but the lead proved false.
Suspicion then shifted to Quezada, a 44-year-old woman from the Dominican Republic. She appeared on TV programs during the search, pleading with the alleged kidnapper. However, investigators grew suspicious as she and the boy’s grandmother were the last to see him. On March 3, 2018, Quezada claimed to have found the boy’s shirt, but police doubted her story because the clothing was dry despite heavy rain in the area.
The murder and confession
On March 11, Quezada was arrested while placing the boy’s body in her car trunk. Initially denying involvement, she later admitted to the crime. She claimed the boy had argued with her after playing with an axe, shouting insults. According to her account, she struck him with the axe handle and then strangled him after 45–90 minutes. She then hid his body in a garden.
Trial and aftermath
During her trial, Quezada claimed the boy’s death was accidental, alleging he called her “ugly black woman,” which she said enraged her. In May 2025, the boy’s mother reported receiving threats from Quezada, who reportedly planned a documentary about the case. The mother condemned the idea, stating, “My son’s death is not entertainment. This is not a series; it’s our life.”
In September 2025, media reported that Quezada had engaged in sexual relations with two prison staff members, a matter now under investigation by Spanish authorities.
