Daniel Gonzalez was born on 21 June 1980 in Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey, England. He had an English mother and a Spanish father. Educated at Gordon's School in Woking, Surrey, Gonzalez was known to be a good actor and a chess champion, but also described as a "dark and troubled boy." His parents separated in 1986 when he was six years old. From the age of 17, Gonzalez received care for psychological problems and was treated by specialist mental health teams. By the age of 24, he was unemployed, using drugs, and spent his time playing computer games and watching horror films.

Despite early academic promise, Gonzalez’s life quickly deteriorated due to mental illness, drug abuse, and obsession with horror films. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and his behavior became increasingly erratic. 

Between 15 and 17 September 2004, Daniel Gonzalez embarked on a two-day killing spree across London and Sussex. On 15 September, he attempted to kill Peter King, who was walking his dog in Hilsea, Portsmouth, but was fought off. Later that day, he murdered 76-year-old Marie Harding in Hove, wearing a hockey mask similar to the character Jason Voorhees from the movie "Friday the 13th."

On 16 September, Gonzalez traveled to London, where he murdered 46-year-old Kevin Molloy in Tottenham. The following day, he killed 75-year-old Derek Robinson and his 68-year-old wife, Jean, in their home in Highgate. He also attempted to murder Koumis Constantinou, who survived the attack.

Gonzalez was arrested on 17 September 2004 at Tottenham Court Road tube station. During police interviews, he expressed enjoyment of the murders, stating they were "one of the best things I've done in my life," and compared himself to the character Freddy Krueger.

At his trial in March 2006, Gonzalez pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. However, the jury rejected this plea, and he was convicted of murder and sentenced to six life sentences, with the judge recommending that he never be released.

While incarcerated at Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric hospital, Gonzalez committed suicide on 9 August 2007 by cutting himself with a broken CD case.