Kill List Podcast Episode 17: Pontevedra – Detailed Summary

Introduction

In Episode 17 of Kill List, titled "Pontevedra," host Carl Miller delves deeper into the harrowing true story of Ana Garcia, a resident of Pontevedra, Galicia, who became the target of a dark web kill list. This episode uncovers the intricate web of personal vendettas, law enforcement challenges, and unexpected twists that have left Ana living in perpetual fear for her life.

Background: Ana Garcia’s Early Struggles

Ana Garcia’s life in the scenic yet serene villages surrounding Pontevedra was far from idyllic. Growing up in a region characterized by lush green hills and a bustling port, Ana faced significant personal hardships early on:

• Early Marriage and Abuse: At 16, Ana married a man who subjected her to psychological abuse. She remained in this tumultuous marriage for seven years, unable to secure a divorce due to her strict Catholic parents' opposition.

  Ana Garcia [01:25]: "Even though time has passed, I still feel unsafe, even small. That's what happens when you know that someone wants to hurt you."

• Path to Independence: Desperate to escape her abusive marriage, Ana finally divorced and distanced herself from her unsupportive family. With only €350, she purchased a modest house, symbolizing her newfound independence.

  Ana Garcia [07:09]: "I finally got divorced and I don't talk to my brothers or to my parents anymore. I have a kid who is 25 years old now, so I left that house without anything. All that I had was €350, and that was when I bought my House."

Employment and New Challenges

To support herself, Ana began working tirelessly cleaning houses, eventually securing a job at Javier’s fish shop in Pontevedra:

• Workplace Tensions: Working at Javier’s family-run fish shop brought its own set of challenges. Despite a professional relationship, Ana faced hostility from Javier’s wife and son, Alberto, who harbored suspicions about her intentions.

  Ana Garcia [10:28]: "They always try to make Javier fire me. And as Alberto is a child, although he's 39 years old, he's used to having what he wants, when he wants it."

• Escalating Hostility: The antagonism escalated from verbal abuse to physical harassment, with Ana experiencing degrading insults and even a direct threat to her safety.

  Ana Garcia [11:32]: "And then I said, I'm going to call Javier to tell him what happened. And she said, if you call Javier, I'm going to stab you with a knife. And she went to grab the knife. And in that short period of time I escaped."

Discovery of the Kill List

In 2020, Ana’s life took a drastic turn when she became aware that someone had placed her on a dark web kill list:

• Carl Miller’s Investigation: Carl Miller and his team uncovered a murder-for-hire website on the dark web, dubbed the "Kill List," where hundreds of individuals were targeted for their lives.

  Carl Miller [02:12]: "We call it the Kill List. So far, we've managed to help law enforcement arrest or convict more than 30 people for putting someone they know onto the kill list."

• Ana’s Plight: Despite breaking the news to Ana, the Spanish Civil Guard’s inadequate response left her in a state of constant fear, believing that the perpetrator remained at large.

  Ana Garcia [01:33]: "When I'm driving, I'm looking through the mirror, which car is coming in which direction?"

The Arrest of Juan and Its Fallout

A significant development occurred when Juan, Ana’s ex-boyfriend, was arrested for placing her on the kill list:

• Unexpected Suspect: Initially, suspicions fell on Javier’s family due to their animosity towards Ana. However, the Civil Guard arrested Juan, who Ana hadn't spoken to in four years.

  Ana Garcia [16:29]: "He told me it's Juan. I was shocked. I told him, but how? How can it be Juan?"

• Mystifying Motive: The arrest of Juan left Ana perplexed, as their past relationship didn’t provide a clear motive, especially considering his financial struggles.

  Ana Garcia [20:24]: "How can he have €20,000?"

Uncovering Hidden Agendas

Further investigation revealed deeper layers to the case:

• Private Investigator’s Revelation: A private investigator hired by Javier uncovered that Juan had previously attempted to have Ana killed in 2017, linking back to a financial dispute involving lost family money.

  Ana Garcia [26:09]: "Veronica was close to me in the past. So she knew about Juan. She knew he's addicted to Pocket online and that he was struggling with money."

• Chain of Events: This revelation suggested that Juan might have been manipulated into placing Ana on the kill list by Javier’s family, positioning him as a scapegoat.

  Ana Garcia [26:38]: "I have the theory that Juan is the weapon, the scapegoat. Because if I'm dead, Juan is not gaining anything."

Legal Hurdles and Civil Guard’s Stance

Despite mounting evidence, the legal system struggled to hold Juan accountable:

• Insufficient Evidence: The Civil Guard's case against Juan heavily relied on linking his crypto wallet to the kill order. However, translating crypto transactions into concrete evidence proved challenging.

  Thomas Garcia [35:21]: "It has no sense in which any other person uses his data to create a wallet. So the only person who has the password and everything, it's him."

• Judicial Dismissal: In April 2023, despite evidence, the judge dismissed the case against Juan due to the inability to conclusively prove his sole involvement.

  Thomas Garcia [35:21]: "There is no evidence that they are together in that the only thing that they have in common is that they don't like Anna."

Ongoing Struggles and New Developments

Ana’s journey continued with moments of hope and persistent fear:

• Continued Threats: Shortly after Juan’s dismissal, Ana received a chilling threat call, linking back to Javier’s family, suggesting that the danger was far from over.

  Ana Garcia [25:17]: "I got a call and a woman's voice said, watch your back, I'm coming for you."

• Appeal and Reopened Case: In April 2024, Ana appealed the dismissal. A higher court overturned the initial decision, acknowledging the case’s seriousness and instructing further investigation into Juan’s financial transactions linked to the kill order.

  Esperanza Escribano [35:21]: "So this is the good news, actually. Quite recently, in April 2024, there's been a big new development."

Personal Resilience Amidst Adversity

Despite the ongoing legal battles, Ana found moments of personal happiness:

• Marriage to Javier: In August 2022, Ana and Javier married, symbolizing a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.

  Ana Garcia [43:33]: "It was an ideal wedding. The place was just perfect and so beautiful."

Conclusion: A Glimmer of Hope

As the episode concludes, Ana still grapples with fear and uncertainty. However, the reopening of her case provides a semblance of hope that justice might finally prevail. Carl Miller emphasizes the systemic challenges in addressing modern crimes facilitated by technology, underscoring the need for persistent investigation and legal reform.

Carl Miller [46:39]: "Watching the really profound difficulties that like many other law enforcement agencies around the world, the Spanish have had in coming to grips with this new kind of crime."

Ana’s quest for safety and justice continues, embodying the relentless pursuit of truth against overwhelming odds.

Notable Quotes

• Ana Garcia [01:25]: "Even though time has passed, I still feel unsafe, even small. That's what happens when you know that someone wants to hurt you."
• Carl Miller [02:12]: "We call it the Kill List. So far, we've managed to help law enforcement arrest or convict more than 30 people for putting someone they know onto the kill list."
• Ana Garcia [25:17]: "I got a call and a woman's voice said, watch your back, I'm coming for you."
• Thomas Garcia [35:21]: "His defense is going to be very difficult. He could set very little to avoid the blame."
• Esperanza Escribano [35:21]: "So this is the good news, actually. Quite recently, in April 2024, there's been a big new development."

Looking Forward

In the next episode of Kill List, the investigation shifts to another dark web hitman-for-hire site, "Rent a Hitman.com," as Carl Miller continues to track the elusive administrators orchestrating these life-threatening schemes.

This summary captures the essence of Episode 17: "Pontevedra" from the Kill List podcast, highlighting the key events, personal struggles, and intricate investigations surrounding Ana Garcia’s perilous journey.