Francisco Leona Romero

Francisco Leona (1835–1910) was a Spanish child killer, barber, curandero, and Sacamantecas from the region of Gádor, Almería, who was arrested and convicted of murdering seven-year-old Bernardo Gonzalez Parra for the purpose of using the boy's blood and fat as a tuberculosis treatment for a wealthy farmer, Francisco Ortega.[1]

Francisco Leona
Francisco Leona
Francisco Leona c. 1910
Born
Francisco Leona Romero

1835
 Spain
Died1910
 Spain Almería, Andalucía, Spain
NationalitySpanish
OccupationBarber and curandero
Criminal statusDead
Criminal chargeMurder
PenaltyGarrote vil
Details
VictimsBernardo González Parra
DateJune 28, 1910
CountrySpain
State(s)Almería
Location(s)Gádor
Target(s)To kidnap a boy

Crime
Main article: Crime of Gádor

Francisco Ortega, diagnosed with phthisis pulmonalis, wanted to look for a cure, and he was supported by Agustina Rodríguez, who suggested to consult Francisco Leona.[2] Leona suggested the ingestion of the human blood and mantecas.[2]

While Julio Hernández el Tonto distracted him, Leona covered the mouth of Bernardo Gonzalez Parra with a handkerchief bathed on chloroform.[3] After that both of them introduced Bernardo to a gunny sack to move him to a cortijo.[3] Leona lay down Bernardo on a table, and held by the others, he stabbed him in the armpit while Agustina Rodríguez picked up the blood with a cooking pot and gave to Francisco Ortega.[3]

The cost of the operation was 3000 pesetas, but Leona didn't share it out equally so Julio Hernández resorted to authorities and declared the crime.[3]

He was sentenced to garrote vil but he died from poisoning in prison.[4]

Aftermath

The crime of Gádor gave rise to the term Hombre del saco and Sacamantecas[5] because the kidnappers, Francisco Leona and Julio el Tonto Hernández, used a gunny sack to carry with the children.[6]

References
  1. Soler Cervantes, Milagros. "El crimen de Gádor (Almería)". Cultura en Andalucía (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  2. Campos Herrero 2016, p. 49.
  3. Campos Herrero 2016, p. 50.
  4. Campos Herrero 2016, p. 51.
  5. Ayala Sörense, Federico (25 September 2014). Expósiot, Ángel (ed.). "El verdadero "Hombre del Saco"". ABC (in Spanish). Diario ABC, S.L. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  6. Fernández Juárez, Gerardo (2008). Kharisiris en acción: cuerpo, persona y modelos médicos en el Altiplano de Bolivia. Editorial Abya Yala. p. 61. ISBN 9789978227213.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

Bibliography
  • Campos Herrero, Joaquín (23 February 2016). ¿Quién agota mis pilas?. Punto Rojo Libros. pp. 49–51. ISBN 9781635035414.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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