Last year, an eerie unsolved case emerged in Spain—one that remained mysterious for over a year until an unexpected breakthrough occurred, leading to a shocking revelation.
The Disappearance of JLPO
In October 2023, a man identified only by his initials, JLPO, traveled to the northern Spanish province of Soria to visit his wife. But shortly after, his cousin reported him missing. Despite extensive searches, no trace of him was found, leaving authorities in the dark about whether he was alive or dead.
The case grew more complex when authorities learned that JLPO might have been involved in a love triangle. Upon arriving in Soria, he discovered that his wife had remarried to a neighbor, 48-year-old Manuel Isla Gallardo. 
What happened to JLPO is still unclear. His cousin continued to communicate with him via phone until suddenly, the calls stopped. Then, a peculiar message arrived via a chat app. It stated that JLPO had fallen in love with another woman and was leaving Soria, leaving his phone behind. The strange phrasing of the message made his cousin suspicious, prompting him to report it to the police.
But the trail went cold.
The Small Village of Tajueco and the Lack of Progress
JLPO’s ex-wife lived in the village of Tajueco, a remote place with only 56 residents, where crimes were nearly unheard of. As a Cuban expat living in Spain, JLPO’s disappearance may not have garnered much attention. The investigation stalled until a year later.
The Game-Changing Google Street View Snapshot
Then, in an unexpected twist, Google Street View played a pivotal role. Google’s camera-equipped cars capture panoramic images of locations around the world for the mapping service. These photos, however, are updated only every few years.
It just so happened that while the murderer disposed of JLPO’s body, he was caught on camera by Google Street View. In one photo, a man is seen loading a body into the trunk of a red car, clearly visible in the image.
Despite Google’s automatic blurring of faces and license plates, the small population of Tajueco made the task of identifying the individual relatively straightforward. Using this image, authorities were able to track down suspects in the area.
The Arrests and the Discovery of JLPO’s Body
In November, JLPO’s ex-wife and her new husband, Manuel Isla Gallardo, were arrested. Though the person in the image had not been confirmed at the time, police suspected Gallardo was the one disposing of the body. They were charged with unlawful detention and murder.
On December 11, Spanish police discovered JLPO’s dismembered body in a church cemetery just outside the village. Some remains are still missing, but the main pieces of evidence have led to significant progress in the case.
The Unlikely Timing: Fate or Coincidence?
It’s remarkable to think that if Google had updated Tajueco’s street view even a few years earlier—or if the murderer had waited just a few minutes longer to dispose of the body—this incredible coincidence would never have happened.
The last update to Google Street View for this village occurred in 2009. Had the update been a few years earlier, the killer might have escaped detection. It’s a rare case of sheer bad luck for the criminal, as Google’s camera car happened to capture his actions.
Google Street View’s Role in Criminal Investigations
This isn’t the first time Google Street View has aided in solving a criminal case. In 2022, Italian police used the service to catch a notorious mafia boss in Sicily. The officers spotted the boss on the street in Google’s photos, and upon further investigation, identified him as a fugitive wanted for murder.
In this case, the mafia boss, who had been convicted of murder in 1999 and escaped prison in 2002, was apprehended after over 20 years on the run—thanks in part to Google Street View.
A Haunting Time Capsule
It’s chilling to think that the murder of JLPO, caught by Google’s camera, will remain visible for years to come. Given the frequency of Google Street View updates, this image will likely be available for many more years, making it one of the most terrifying time capsules in the world.
As the investigation moves forward, and with the remains of JLPO finally found, it seems likely that justice will soon be served. In the end, it’s as if JLPO has finally had his revenge.
