Joaquín Ferrándiz Ventura

Joaquín Ferrándiz Ventura (born 1963) is a Spanish abductor, rapist and (later) serial killer who murdered five women in the Spanish province of Castellón between 2 July 1995 and 14 September 1996. He was liberated in July 2023 and currently resides in Andoain, Spain.

Early life Ferrándiz was born in Valencia, Spain in 1963. He was the first of three siblings.

Murders

Sonia Rubio Arrufat, a 25-year-old English teacher, was last seen at 5:00 a.m. on the morning of 2 July 1995, leaving a Benicàssim disco that she had attended with friends. She intended to walk the one kilometre distance between the disco and her parents' apartment in Benicàssim, but she never reached her destination. Her body was found by a motorist on November 20, hidden in thick bushes near the road between Benicàssim and Orpesa. She was half-dressed, with her hands tied and her mouth covered with duct tape. The Spanish Civil Guard code-named the investigation of Rubio's murder Operación Bola de Cristal ("Operation Crystal Ball").

Ferrándiz initially admitted to the rape of two women, but he denied involvement in any murders. He was charged with Rubio's abduction, sexual assault and murder. On 14 January 2000, Ferrándiz was found guilty of five counts of murder, one of attempted murder, and another of imprudence resulting in injuries. Ferrándiz was sentenced to 69 years in prison and to compensate the families with 130 million. The State was acquitted.

He was released from custody in July 2023 after having served 25 years.