Enriqueta Marti Spanish child killer and kidnapper. Country: Spain

The Biography of Enriqueta Martí

Enriqueta Martí was a Spanish child killer and kidnapper. She was an exceptionally unconventional woman even by the standards of serial killers. She earned a living by selling amulets and potions made from human remains, and her pimping activities involving children added to her income. However, her horrifying activities were brought to an end thanks to the intervention of a vigilant neighbor named Claudina Elías. On February 27, 1912, Martí was arrested for the abduction of local children. She was imprisoned in a special women's prison called 'Reina Amalia' ('Queen Amalia') for her crimes.

Martí's two latest victims, Angelita and Teresita Guitart Congost, were saved by the police. After being rescued from Martí's apartment, they shared terrifying stories about their "hostess" with the investigators. Angelita witnessed Martí kill a five-year-old boy named Pepito right on the kitchen table. It was later discovered that Martí had used at least three other apartments as improvised morgues, where the bodies of her victims were stored until she could use them for her concoctions. She also turned one apartment into a makeshift brothel.

Martí's dedication to her "pharmaceutical" endeavors was horrifying. During the search, the police found numerous unused remains, vessels with coagulated blood, bones, an ancient book of potions, and her more recent version – her personal notebook detailing her crimes. Skulls were found alongside scalps, and dirty blood-stained children's clothing was found alongside frivolous outfits intended for prostitutes.

It was challenging to piece together the full extent of Martí's crimes. The search results shocked the best local police officers. In the end, the investigators concluded that Martí was responsible for a minimum of 12 murders. However, considering her more than 20 years of criminal activities, it is highly likely that she kidnapped, turned into prostitutes, and killed many more children. Martí used the remains to create love potions, cosmetics, and medicines for tuberculosis, syphilis, and various other diseases. Surprisingly, she had a clientele composed of wealthy individuals who were willing to pay significant sums for her nightmarish elixirs.

Martí also gained popularity among wealthy pedophiles, as she could provide them with everything they needed to satisfy their perverse desires. She handpicked her "employees" by roaming the local slums in tattered clothes for hours. Naturally, such active activities did not go unnoticed. She was first arrested in 1909 on suspicion of running a brothel, but she was released along with a young man from an extremely wealthy family when the local aristocracy ensured the case was promptly closed. Only in 1912 did the justice system manage to reach her again.

It is unknown how the trial would have ended this time, as it is possible that Martí's patrons would have once again rescued her from prison. However, Martí's cellmates were horrified by her story just as much as the police. She was killed by her fellow inmates a year and three months after her arrest in February 1912. Due to her sudden death, no trial was held. Martí was buried in a communal grave at the Montjuïc Cemetery near Barcelona.