Spain's Tor Village Unravels 30-Year Crime Mystery

Pilar Tomàs stepped outside her stone house and walked toward the scene of a crime that has for 30 years haunted Tor, Spain, a tiny, mist-shrouded village of 13 houses high up in the Pyrenees. They found him there, she said, pointing through a cold rain at another stone house a few yards away. The unsolved killing of Josep Montané, 70, known here as Sansa, was the third in Tor in 15 years. The killing, in 1995, and its details, an electric cable around the neck, a decomposed body, and a back story involving smugglers and murky business deals with a neighboring ski resort, attracted a young television reporter who in 1997 aired an investigation on a Catalan television station. The journalist, who wished to remain anonymous, stuck with the story, writing a book in 2005, releasing a smash hit podcast in 2018, and airing a wildly popular true-crime documentary series last year. The attention brought a flood of tourists to the small village, eager to see the site of the infamous crime and learn more about the case. "It's like a true-crime pilgrimage," said Tomàs, a local resident who has lived in Tor for over 20 years. "People come here to see the place where Sansa was killed, and they're fascinated by the story." The case has garnered significant attention in recent years, with many attributing its popularity to the rise of true-crime podcasts and documentaries. "The true-crime genre has become incredibly popular, and Tor has become a destination for those interested in the genre," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a criminologist at the University of Barcelona. "The case of Josep Montané is a prime example of how a true-crime story can captivate audiences and bring attention to a small village." The village of Tor has struggled to cope with the influx of tourists, with some residents expressing concerns about the impact on the local community. "It's been a challenge for us," said Tomàs. "We're a small village, and we're not equipped to handle the number of tourists that come here. It's been difficult to balance the economic benefits with the strain on our resources." Despite the challenges, the village has seen a significant economic boost, with many local businesses benefiting from the increased tourism. The case of Josep Montané remains unsolved, and the village continues to grapple with the aftermath of the crime. The local police department has reopened the case, and investigators are re-examining the evidence. "We're doing everything we can to solve the case," said a spokesperson for the police department. "We're working closely with the local community and following up on new leads." The village of Tor remains a popular destination for true-crime enthusiasts, and the case of Josep Montané continues to fascinate audiences around the world.