900 Days Without Anabel: The True Story of Anabel Segura’s Kidnapping That Inspired the Netflix Series?
900 Days Without Anabel the docu-series streaming on the platform from November 22 tells the story of the longest kidnapping in history, which kept the whole of Spain in suspense for almost three years. The longest kidnapping case in history. For almost three years, the kidnapping of Anabel Segura kept an entire country in suspense, as told in the docu-series “900 Days Without Anabel” coming out on Netflix on November 22. The whole of Spain was shaken by the disappearance of a 22-year-old student, held prisoner for a long time in an abandoned factory before her tragic end. Let’s discover her whole story.
The documentary series will retrace this case, thanks also to the unprecedented vision of the negotiations that took place between the police and the kidnappers, and to the recordings that were secret until now. “Listening to the tapes and obtaining the statements of the sources allowed us not only to debunk the hoaxes that were circulating this case, but also to tell it from the inside”, underlines Monica Palomero, a journalist specialized in investigations and social denunciation, and responsible for the audiovisual project of the docu-series.
900 Days Without Anabel: The True Story of Anabel Segura?
On April 12, 1993, Anabel Segura, a 22-year-old university student of Economics and Business, went out for a jog in the neighborhood of La Moraleja, in Madrid, as she did every morning. However, at the height of the Scandinavian School in the area, a white van began to follow her. A man approached her and, despite the resistance of the young Spanish woman, managed to force her into the van. The kidnappers began to wander around the city, trying in the meantime to get in touch with the girl’s wealthy parents, who, however, were not in Madrid at the time. At dusk, Anabel was taken to an abandoned brick factory near Toledo, tied with one rope and strangled with the other: her body was buried among the waste.
The kidnappers – Emilio Muñoz Guadix, a 38-year-old unemployed transport worker, and Cándido “Candi” Ortiz Aón, a 35-year-old plumber – decide to continue with their plan. At 8:00 p.m. on April 14, they call the Segura family demanding a ransom of 150 million pesetas. A real media case erupts in Spain, keeping the country in suspense for almost three years. Twice, the kidnappers fail to show up to collect the money and, when the family asks for proof that their daughter is alive, they let Felisa, Emilio’s wife, speak. The recording is broadcast on all national TV channels and even the police appeal to anyone who can identify the voice.
The analysis of the tape, however, yields the desired results: in the background, children with a Toledo accent can be heard and a listener identifies the voice of Emilio’s calls. Everything matches: the man is from Toledo, he worked at La Moraleja, he is married, and has children. On September 28, he is arrested and confesses everything, including the location of Anabel’s body. Emilio was sentenced in 1999 to 43 years in prison (his wife Felisa to two years and four months for concealment) and will leave prison in 2013 thanks to the repeal of the Parot doctrine, while Cándido will die during his imprisonment due to an illness.
The Dynamics of the Kidnapping: A Day That Changed Everything
On April 12, 1993, Anabel Segura, a 22-year-old business and economics student, went out for a jog as usual in the neighborhood of La Moraleja, in Madrid. That morning, the sun was shining and the air was fresh, yet what was supposed to be a normal day of sports turned into a nightmare. While she was running along her usual route, a white van began to follow her. At that point, the young woman sensed danger: a man was approaching her, but despite her attempts to resist, Anabel was forcibly loaded into the vehicle.
The kidnappers, Emilio Muñoz Guadix and Cándido “Candi” Ortiz Aón, head towards Toledo, far from Madrid, while Anabel’s parents are not in the capital and cannot receive the kidnappers’ immediate requests. After wandering around the city, Anabel is taken to an abandoned brick factory, where she will be held prisoner. Here, tied up and threatened a dramatic ordeal begins for the young girl, culminating in a tragic moment: her body is subsequently buried in the waste. The horror of what happened has left an indelible mark on the Spanish collective memory, and the case has become a topic of great media relevance.
The Ransom and the Manhunt: A Family’s Drama
Following Anabel‘s capture, on April 14, the kidnappers contacted the Segura family, demanding a ransom of 150 million pesetas. It is the beginning of a real race against time. The news of the kidnapping goes viral: the Spanish media follows the case with maniacal attention, while the entire nation holds its breath. The family, desperate, tries to contact the authorities and collect evidence that can prove that their daughter is still alive. The kidnappers, in response to these requests, record a voice message from Emilio‘s wife, Felisa, to confirm the statement regarding the young woman’s life.
The recording, which is broadcast on all national televisions, arouses public indignation and grief. However, it is also a decisive moment for the investigation. The experts manage to identify a specific accent in the background sounds, indicate some locations, and track down useful information about the kidnappers. So much so that, at the end of September, thanks to the intuition of a listener, they arrive at the arrest of Emilio Muñoz Guadix, who confesses to the kidnapping and indicates where Anabel‘s body is located. This element marks a decisive turning point in the investigations that will continue for almost three years.
The Arrest and the Trial: Justice That Arrives at the End of the Kidnapping
After the arrest of Emilio Muñoz Guadix, it is time for justice. The man, a 38-year-old unemployed man, is accused of kidnapping and murder, and his accomplice Cándido Ortiz Aón is also arrested. Guadix ‘s confession leads to the discovery of Anabel‘s body, cruelly buried, and thrown among the garbage in an isolated location. The trial will have a huge media echo, not only for the seriousness of the crime but also for the story that has marked Spanish public opinion. In 1999, Emilio Muñoz Guadix was sentenced to 43 years in prison for his crime, while Felisa, his wife involved in the plan, received a lesser sentence for concealment. As the years go by, the case remains alive in the collective memory, especially for the emotional impact it had on public opinion. Guadix, following the repeal of the Parot doctrine, was released from prison in 2013, causing outrage among citizens and sparking heated debates on justice and security, issues more current than ever.
900 Days Without Anabel: The Series Coming to Netflix
The dramatic story of Anabel Segura’s kidnapping is set to be brought to life again in the docu-series “900 Days Without Anabel”, which will debut on Netflix on November 22, 2024. This series aims to offer an accurate and engaging reinterpretation of one of the most shocking crime stories ever to occur in Spain. From the narration of the crucial days preceding Anabel’s disappearance to the capture of the kidnappers and their trial, the series promises to recreate an accurate reconstruction. Attention to detail and exclusive interviews will allow us to understand the emotional and social dimensions of a case that has profoundly affected Spanish society. With the power of images and testimonies, this production will offer viewers a profound reflection on a painful chapter in the country’s recent history, highlighting the issues of security and the value of human life.
