“The Monster of the Andes”: Pedro Alonso López Murdered Hundreds of Children in South America and Then Disappeared

Colombian-born serial killer Pedro Alonso López grew up on the harsh streets of Bogotá. His years of victimization and abuse turned him into a savage and pitiless killer.

This article originally appeared on the true crime newsletter Tales From the Underworld. Subscribe for new and exclusive historical true crime content.

Guest Post by Roy Hill

Depiction of Pedro Alonso López (Image generated via Midjourney)

Background

It’s not surprising that a brutal upbringing is likely going to create a brutal human being, especially when one’s innocent hopes and dreams are extinguished at an early age.

But Pedro López didn’t just grow up to be cruel. He grew up to become a monster.

Early Years

Pedro Alonso López’s mother, Benilda López de Castañeda, was a prostitute in a rough part of Colombia who had made poor choices, not only in regard to her profession but generally throughout her life.