Tragic Start to Constitution Day Weekend in Spain
On December 4, 2004, a Saturday, many in Spain were kicking off the long Constitution Day weekend. Among them were Mercedes Cañadas, her husband, and their seven-year-old son, José Manuel. They were joined by family and friends from Seville, making a group of seven adults and six children. They had chosen to stay at the H10 Andalucía Plaza, a four-star hotel in Marbella, a departure from their usual summer holiday spot.
Unexpected Horror Unfolds at the Hotel
After a tiring journey, the group decided to have lunch at the hotel’s restaurant. Mercedes gave the children a 10-euro note and then went to her room to fetch a tablet for her father-in-law’s headache. It was around 5.30pm, and the group was enjoying coffee on the hotel’s ground floor. The children were playing nearby when Mercedes heard gunshots. Initially, she thought the children had bought firecrackers with the money she had given them. But soon, a sense of dread set in.
Chaos and Confusion in the Aftermath of the Shooting
Mercedes recalls people scattering in panic, with her running in the opposite direction. Her niece informed her that they had been shot at, but the whereabouts of her cousin were unknown. The niece had a bullet graze on her thigh but was otherwise unharmed. José Manuel, thinking the gunshots were rockets, ran into the street. His aunt tried to stop him but was hit by bullets and severely injured. Another friend and her two daughters hid behind a flower pot, which was shot 28 times but served as a shield. Tragically, José Manuel was killed by bullets aimed at the Cosmo hairdressing salon on the hotel’s ground floor.
Real Target of the Shooting and the Aftermath
The police believed the real target of the shooting was Alex B., known as ‘El Chacal’, who was getting a haircut at the salon. Alex B. was unharmed, but his bodyguard was hit multiple times. The hairdresser, Cósimo Pizzi, a friend of Alex B., was also killed. José Manuel’s aunt underwent 18 operations to recover from her injuries, and her two daughters suffered minor injuries. The bodyguard was admitted to the ICU and later arrested for illegal possession of weapons.
Investigation into the Shooting and its Perpetrators
The shooting was carried out by three men who arrived in a grey Audi A-4 station wagon driven by a fourth individual. They were all wearing balaclavas and dark coats and used AK-47s. Despite various leads and phone taps, the police were unable to identify the perpetrators. The case was eventually shelved due to lack of new evidence.
Twenty Years Later: The Aftermath and the Unresolved Case
Mercedes and her husband, who live in San José de la Rinconada, did not have any more children. Mercedes studied psychology and grief and trauma counseling and now helps other families cope with similar experiences. Despite spending a significant amount on legal fees, the family received no compensation. The statute of limitations for the crime has now expired, meaning those responsible for the deaths of José Manuel and Cósimo Pizzi will not face punishment.
