José Luis Calva was born on June 20, 1969, in Mexico City, Mexico. His early life was marked by difficulty and trauma. When he was just two years old, his father died. This loss had a significant impact on his childhood. His mother brought different men into their home, and young José was often required to call these men "dad," which added to his confusion and instability.

At the age of seven, Calva experienced a traumatic event. He was raped by a 16-year-old friend of his older brother. This incident further complicated his childhood and may have affected him throughout his life.

In 1996, José Luis Calva met a woman named Aide. They eventually married and had two daughters together. However, their relationship did not last, and they divorced. Aide moved to the United States with their daughters. After this separation, Calva fell into a deep depression.

In October 2007, police went to the home of José Luis Calva to arrest him. They suspected him of being involved in the disappearance of his girlfriend, Alejandra Galeana, who had not been seen since October 6. When the police arrived, they found Calva eating a dish that contained human meat, which he had seasoned with lemon. He attempted to escape by jumping out of a window but severely injured himself and was captured.

Inside Calva's apartment, officers discovered the mutilated body of Alejandra. They also found human meat in the refrigerator, a frying pan with cooked human flesh, and human bones hidden in a box of cereal. Additionally, there was an unfinished book titled "Instintos Caníbales o 12 días" (Cannibal Instincts or 12 Days) and a picture of Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter.

On December 11, 2007, José Luis Calva was found dead in his holding cell. He had apparently taken his own life by hanging himself using his belt. There was no suicide note left behind.