José Antonio Rodríguez Vega was born on December 3, 1957, in Santander, Cantabria, Spain. Growing up, he had a troubled relationship with his family. His father was terminally ill, and Rodríguez Vega often fought with his mother. He felt hatred towards her because she threw him out of their home after an incident where he beat his father.

As a young man, he had various interactions with the law. His behavior led to time in prison, where he displayed a mixed character. He was known for being charming, which sometimes allowed him to manipulate others. Due to this charm and behavior while incarcerated, his sentence was reduced to eight years.

After his release in 1986, Rodríguez Vega faced personal challenges. His wife left him, and he struggled to cope with the breakup. Eventually, he remarried. This time, his wife was mentally disabled. Despite this, he managed to maintain a public image of being a good husband and a hardworking man.

During this time, Rodríguez Vega's true behavior was hidden from those around him. He was seen as a decent person in the eyes of the community. However, beneath the surface, he was engaging in manipulative and abusive actions. His life continued until May 19, 1988, when he was arrested, leading to a major turn in his story.

José Antonio Rodríguez Vega was a Spanish serial killer who operated in Santander, Spain, from 1987 to 1988. He murdered at least 16 elderly women, ages ranging from 61 to 93. His method was well thought out. He would carefully choose a victim and watch her to learn about her daily life. After gaining her trust with his charm, he would often gain access to her home by pretending to offer help with chores or repairs.

Rodríguez Vega kept souvenirs from his victims. When police arrested him, they found a room in his home where he displayed various items he had taken, including a television and fake flowers. Some of his victims' deaths were initially thought to be from natural causes due to their age. The real extent of his crimes became clear when police showed a video of his mementos, allowing families to identify objects linked to their deceased relatives.

His trial began in November 1991, where he was found guilty and sentenced to 440 years in prison. He was diagnosed as a psychopath and was noted for being very organized and methodical in his killings.

On October 22, 2002, Rodríguez Vega was moved to a prison module for dangerous inmates. This decision was controversial because he had been well-behaved while incarcerated. However, his history and lack of remorse caused tension with other inmates.

Just two days later, on October 24, Rodríguez Vega was attacked in the prison yard by two fellow inmates. They stabbed him 113 times while prison guards did not intervene. He died from his injuries and was buried the following day in a simple coffin, with only two gravediggers present at the burial.