In the shadowed corners of South America, where the Andes stretch like a spine through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, one of the most horrifying killers in modern history hunted without remorse. His name was Pedro Alonso López, and he would become known as “The Monster of the Andes.”
While names like Dahmer and Bundy are etched into Western crime lore, López is often left out of the headlines—despite confessing to the rape and murder of more than 300 girls across three countries.
What makes López especially terrifying is not just the scale of his crimes, but the fact that he was released.
This is the true story of the most prolific serial killer you’ve probably never heard of.
A Broken Beginning
Pedro López was born in October 1948 in Colombia, the seventh of thirteen children. His early life was marked by abuse, poverty, and trauma. His mother was a prostitute, and López later claimed he witnessed disturbing acts at a young age, including sexual violence.
At age 8, he ran away from home and ended up living on the streets of Bogotá. There, he was repeatedly assaulted by strangers, fueling a violent hatred that would manifest in unspeakable ways.
By his teenage years, López was already involved in petty crime and violence. His future would be drenched in blood.
The Killings Begin
López later confessed that his first murder occurred in Peru after he was expelled from a group of natives for attempting to assault a young girl. He claimed to have started killing shortly afterward.
Over the next decade, López traveled between Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador, targeting young girls—most between the ages of 8 and 12.
His victims were often:
- From rural areas
- Poor, displaced, or homeless
- Abducted in broad daylight
López lured them with trinkets, promises of food, or just a kind smile. Then he would assault and kill them—often strangling his victims and dumping their bodies in shallow graves.
He later said: “I lost my innocence at age 8. So did they.”
Discovery in Ecuador
López’s reign of terror went largely unnoticed until 1980, when a flash flood in Ambato, Ecuador unearthed a mass grave. The remains of several missing girls were discovered, triggering a widespread investigation.
Shortly after, López was caught attempting to abduct a girl from a local market. Under questioning, he confessed to killing 110 girls in Ecuador alone, and over 240 more in Colombia and Peru.
He even led police to the graves.
Chillingly, López spoke about the murders without emotion. He referred to the girls as “his dolls,” and said he enjoyed watching the light leave their eyes.
The Trial and Controversial Release
López was convicted in Ecuador—not for 300 murders, but for 110 confirmed deaths—and sentenced to just 16 years in prison, the maximum penalty allowed at the time.
He served only 14 years before being released in 1994 for “good behavior.”
Yes—a man who confessed to killing hundreds of children was released.
He was immediately deported to Colombia, where he was declared mentally insane and placed in a psychiatric hospital. But by 1998, he was released once again.
Where Is He Now?
Pedro López vanished after his release in 1998. Authorities issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with a new murder, but he was never found.
Some believe he’s still alive. Others think he may have resumed killing under a new identity. He would be in his late 70s today.
Despite being one of the most prolific serial killers in modern history, López is barely a footnote in the global media—possibly due to his crimes occurring outside the Western world.
A Case Without Justice
Pedro López isn’t just a monster. He’s a reminder of systemic failure:
- Law enforcement overlooked patterns for years
- Legal systems were unequipped to handle serial murder
- International cooperation between countries was minimal
Worst of all, dozens of families never got answers.
His name should be infamous. His victims should be remembered. And yet, the Monster of the Andes remains largely unknown.
For more cases like this, explore our archive. SinisterArchive.com—where the legends are real.