The Tour Guide, The Cover-Up, and The Death of Lauren Bajorak

He was the man every study-abroad student wanted on their trip - charismatic, always around, always at the party. Manuel Blanco Vela ran a wildly popular tour company for American college students exploring Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Parents thought their kids were in safe hands. They weren't.

This episode follows Gabrielle, a 19 year old student who was drugged and sexually assaulted by her own tour guide on what was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime ... and who, years later, would open a Facebook message that changed everything: "Manuel Blanco Vela killed my daughter."

That message came from Carrie, whose 21 year old daughter Lauren supposedly fell ten stories to her death from Manuel's apartment balcony in 2015 - on the same night he took two heavily intoxicated students home alone. Lauren's blood alcohol was nearly at coma level. Manuel's was 0. The case was closed with no charges. Carrie spent the rest of her life fighting for answers.

We're unpacking the pattern - the champagne, the "safety" warnings that kept women isolated with him, the sangria nights, the blackouts - and how one survivor's spreadsheet, one viral post, and one TODAY show interview cracked open a case involving somewhere between 50 and 100 accusers across at least 3 countries.

But here's what you need to know before you hit play: the man convicted of these crimes is not currently in prison. His appeal is still pending. He's out, passport surrendered, waiting on a ruling that could come any time in the next year - which means, right now, nobody actually knows how this ends.

The Predator of Seville docuseries: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt40392206/

Sign up for the free REDRUM newsletter, full of all things true crime, as well as a run down of all the latest REDRUM cases. This will only ever come to you once a month... I'm no fan of spam. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime

You can email me: redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com

SHOP MERCH: redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com

Podcast versions of all episodes if you prefer to listen on the go:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952

Sources & Accuracy: Information in these videos is gathered from publicly available sources such as news reports, interviews, court documents, and online discussions. While I do my best to present accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be incomplete, outdated, or disputed. Statements made by individuals are presented as claims or allegations unless officially confirmed.

Opinion & Commentary: All content is created for informational and commentary purposes. The views expressed are my own and should not be taken as fact. This content is not intended to harm, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or group. Viewers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own conclusions.

No Professional Advice: Nothing in this content should be considered legal, professional, or expert advice. Duhh guys I'm no lawyer.

Fair Use Notice: This content may include clips, images, or references used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

Liability: I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to its use. All information is provided “as is,” and it is your responsibility to verify any details independently.

If you're able, please support me on Patreon/buymeacoffee/YouTube membership to continue bringing REDRUM content to YouTube. Thanks, Grace x

Patreon monthly subscription- www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime

A one off donation- www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans

Youtube monthly membership levels- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join

Thanks,

Grace x

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.