Where Is Manuel Blanco Vela Now? The Horrifying Truth Behind 'The Predator Of Seville' Explained

The Predator of Seville was released on Netflix. The true crime documentary explores a case that evaded justice for years, until one brave survivor, Gabrielle Vega, spoke up and brought together several other women. All of whom were assaulted by the same person, Manuel Blanco Vela. The Spanish tour guide who ran student trips through his company, Discover Excursions, and for years was seen as the most trusted figure among young women travelling from Spain to destinations such as Portugal and Morocco. However, there was a dark truth that bubbled under the surface. Manuel Blanco Vela might have seemed charming, but he was repeatedly luring vulnerable young women into his hotel rooms and assaulting them.

Who is Manuel Blanco Vela?

Manuel Blanco Vela ran Discover Excursions, a travel company offering trips to American students studying abroad in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The man had built a reputation as a friendly, trustworthy guide. However, that image took a hit when survivors revealed that sense of trust played a key role in how he was able to gain access to victims. They reflected on how his company appeared to be affiliated with their universities, which led them to believe it was safe to use its services.

The horrid incident involving Gabrielle Vega

According to reports, Gabrielle Vega was 19 when she studied abroad in Spain in 2013. However, during a weekend trip to Morocco organised by Manuel Blanco Vela, he encouraged her group to stay in the hotel for the evening, asserting that it was dangerous to step out at night, alone. In an interview with TODAY, Gabrielle recalled having one beer and two glasses of champagne but experiencing an unusually strong reaction. She was quoted as saying:

"It was unreal what I was feeling. I wasn't even coherent. I couldn't stand up....He immediately put himself in my mouth and knocked me over."

She further revealed that she woke up the next morning with flashbacks of him assaulting her. Gabrielle Vega's friend confirmed she had been in the bathroom with Manuel Blanco Vela for around 30 minutes. She later developed PTSD and has spoken about experiencing suicidal thoughts after the incident, highlighting the impact the horrible incident had on her life. She was unable to complete her studies as a result.

Manuel Blaco Vela was accused by over 50 women of assault

Investigations and survivor accounts indicate a repeated pattern involving alcohol, isolation and assault. While a clear number was never confirmed, estimates suggest between 50 and 100 women may have accused Manuel Blanco Vela of assaults or attempted assaults over time. However, despite the number of complaints, only a small number of cases were prosecuted. In 2017, students, Hayley McAleese and Carly Van Ostenbridge attended a Discover Excursions trip to Lagos, Portugal. They recalled being told that the area was unsafe to explore alone at night. Nonetheless, once at the hotel, he invited the women into his room and allegedly asked them to perform a 'sexy dance', which they refused.

Reports claim that he then attempted to prevent them from leaving, but thankfully, they were able to escape and raise the alarm. Manuel later claimed the women had come onto him. Additionally, when the two victims reported the incident, they were told that jurisdictional issues, citing that Manuel was based in Spain and the incident occurred in Portugal, meant the case was unlikely to proceed. However, the girls didn't give up, and in 2018 they spoke publicly about the incident; over the next two days, eight more women joined them, sharing their own experiences with the guide.

How did Manuel Blanco Vela's action result in the death of Lauren Bajorek?

Manuel Blanco Vela is also linked to the death of 21-year-old American student, Lauren Bajorek. The case dates back to 2015, when the young student died after falling from her balcony on her 21st birthday. Her death was not prosecuted as a homicide, but the tour guide was held civilly liable for it. Another student who studied in Spain at the same time as Lauren wrote in a blog about her own account:

"Because in the summer of 2015, despite what I believed at the time, I was young and vulnerable, as so many travellers are. And where there is vulnerability, there is often someone who arrives to take advantage of it."

Where is Manuel Blanco Vela Now?

After the account by several women brought attention to the assaults by Manuel Blanco Vela, he was found guilty of assaulting three American students in 2025 by Spain's National Court. He was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison in total; six years for a sexual assault against Gabrielle Vega and two and a half years for assaulting Hayley McAleese and Carly Van Ostenbridge. The conviction followed testimony from multiple survivors. However, Manuel appealed the decision. Later, lawyer, Mark Eiglarsh reflected on the case and stated:

"[Gabrielle's] courage and perseverance have not only brought justice but have also helped protect countless other women from enduring the same horrific nightmare she faced at just 19 years old."

What are your thoughts on the horrid tale of Manuel Blanco Vela? 

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