San Juan del Sur Psychopath

The San Juan del Sur Psychopath is the name of a suspected Nicaraguan serial killer, allegedly responsible for the deaths of at least one and possibly up to nine other men, in San Juan del Sur, one of the country's most popular tourist centers. Only one suspect, a German national, was arrested on suspicion, but was later cleared of involvement.

Alleged crimes Between 2000 and 2002, a total of ten men died in the coastal town under suspicious circumstances, causing the local population to spread rumors of a serial killer operating in the area.

Confirmed murder José Antonio Castillo Torres (26) - in early March 2002, the body of Castillo, a local photographer, was found on the road leading to a bar named "El Oro", around 200 meters away from his house. He was accused of being responsible for at least seven of the deaths by the local population, and on March 22, 2002, he was arrested by the police. On May 9, however, he was allowed to walk free, but was required to attend court every Friday. In an attempt to find evidence, Nicaraguan authorities investigated the suspect's past through Interpol and sent in some of his belongings for testing: the most notable of which was a book about two twin brothers, one of whom would become a psychopath and mafia hitman, which would serve as possible evidence.

In the end, the suspect was only charged with the deaths of Salas and Castillo by the Rivas Department Police. After a few months, he was dismissed by Justice Marianela Paredes on October 9, citing abandonment of the trial, as none of the prosecuting parties managed to present any substantive evidence against the accused.