Francisco Guerrero Pérez was born in 1840 in the Bajío region of Mexico. He grew up in extreme poverty, being the eleventh child in a large family. His mother was abusive, and his father was absent, which shaped his violent tendencies from an early age.

As a young man, Guerrero moved to Mexico City in 1862, where he worked as a shoemaker and later settled in the Peralvillo neighborhood. He married a woman named María, and they had four children. Despite appearing to be a devout Catholic, he was known for misogynistic beliefs, extramarital affairs, and rumors that he was involved in prostitution rings.

Guerrero was easily recognized for his flashy and extravagant clothing, often wearing cashmere pants, a charro vest, and brightly colored sashes. His charming and manipulative personality helped him lure victims while keeping his criminal activities hidden.

Between 1880 and 1888, Francisco Guerrero Pérez targeted prostitutes in Mexico City, murdering at least 20 women. His method was brutal—he would pretend to be a customer, then threaten, rape, and strangle them. In some cases, he slit their throats or decapitated them. After killing his victims, he dumped their bodies in the Consulado River, leading him to be called “The Consulado River Strangler”.

His crimes remained undetected until 1888, when the body of Murcia Gallardo was found on the riverbank. Police arrested him, and after a trial, he was sentenced to death. However, President Porfirio Díaz reduced his sentence to 20 years in prison at San Juan de Ulúa Prison.

In 1904, Guerrero was mistakenly released early due to an administrative error. However, just four years later, in 1908, he committed one final murder, killing an elderly woman named Antonia in the same way as his previous victims. Authorities quickly arrested him again, and this time he was sentenced to death.

Before his execution could be carried out, Francisco Guerrero Pérez died in prison in November 1910, at the age of 70. Reports suggest he died from tuberculosis, though other sources claim typhoid fever or a head injury.

His crimes remain some of the most infamous in Mexican history, as he was one of the earliest recorded serial killers in Mexico. His methods and victim profile have often drawn comparisons to Jack the Ripper, though Guerrero’s crimes happened before the infamous London murders.