Ángel Maturino Resendiz, known as 'The Railroad Killer', was sentenced to death by U.S. justice for the authorship of at least 15 murders in several states of the country between 1986 and 1999. Originally from Izúcar de Matamoros, Puebla, he emigrated at the age of 14 in search of a better life, but ended up becoming one of the most dangerous criminals in that nation.
During an interview, Maturino described himself as a person different from the one who committed the crimes, acknowledging his responsibility for the terrible acts. Through an operation led by Texas ranger Drew Carter, Ángel Maturino's brother was able to contact the authorities and he crossed the border from Mexico to Texas to surrender, in an agreement that avoided the death penalty.
Despite efforts to evade the death sentence, Ángel Maturino Resendiz was sentenced to death due to the severity of his crimes. It is estimated that in the United States he murdered at least 40 people, while in Mexico it is believed he may have committed around 180 murders, primarily in Ciudad Juárez. Maturino admitted that he refused to confess more details knowing that he would be executed anyway.
During his criminal career, Maturino made several mistakes that ultimately led to his capture. One of his biggest mistakes was leaving one of his victims alive, which allowed the police to track his trail. Additionally, in a display of extreme violence, some of his crimes involved mutilations and the use of unconventional weapons such as picks and hammers.
The final point of the macabre story of Ángel Maturino Resendiz came on June 27, 2006, when he was executed by lethal injection. Despite asking for forgiveness moments before his death, no one believed in his remorse due to the lack of empathy he showed throughout his life. His case adds to other Mexicans executed by the United States, and his legacy leaves a mark of terror in the memory of those who lived near the train tracks during those years.
