Arsenic Poisoning in Jacometrezo Street
Madrid Dentist Confesses to 1914 Poisoning Conspiracy
In a chilling case that captivated Madrid in the early 20th century, a dentist confessed to his role in the poisoning death of a man two years prior.Ramón de los Santos Marracho walked into the General Security Directorate in December 1916 and admitted to authorities his involvement in the crime,implicating his wife,María de los Ángeles,in the death of her former husband,Dionisio Pérez Alegre.
A Confession of Arsenic Poisoning
According to Marracho’s confession, Pérez Alegre died from arsenic poisoning. The dentist claimed he provided the poison to his wife at her request. The motive, as revealed in subsequent investigations, stemmed from a tangled web of passion, jealousy, and a desire to eliminate an obstacle.
A Tangled Web of Relationships
The relationship between María and Ramón reportedly began eight years before the incident. After a period of separation, during which María married Pérez Alegre, Ramón returned from Cuba and rekindled the romance.As the affair progressed, Pérez Alegre became an impediment to their desires.
The plan to poison Pérez Alegre was hatched, exploiting the fact that his existing tuberculosis diagnosis would mask the true cause of death. His demise initially raised no suspicion.
Intrahistory: Family Drama Unfolds
Beyond the crime itself, the case exposed a complex family dynamic. Ramón’s relationship with María, whom he married after Pérez Alegre’s death, was further complicated by the presence of Ramón’s domineering mother.The mother’s controlling nature created frequent and intense conflicts within the household.


Above,exhumation of the body of the poisoned. Below, left, forensic examination to the deceased. Dcha, relatives of the poisoner
Media Frenzy and Conflicting Accounts
The case became a media sensation. María de los Ángeles,when questioned,corroborated her husband’s account,admitting she requested the poison and administered it to Pérez Alegre in a glass of milk at their residence on Jacometrezo Street.
Exhumation and Examination
Following the confession, authorities exhumed Pérez Alegre’s body from Almudena Cemetery to confirm the cause of death. The remains, located in barracks number 55, apple 23, letter D, were subjected to a thorough forensic examination. Doctors Alonso martínez and Moreno collected tissue and bone samples for analysis.
Imprisonment and Psychological Profile
María de los Ángeles was incarcerated in the Women’s Prison,while Ramón was sent to the Model Jail.An interview with Ramón revealed a man described as “dismembered, incoherent,” and possessing an “abulmic and perhaps unconscious personality.” He was placed in solitary confinement.
Reports characterized Ramón as a man-child, dominated by his mother, who had interfered in his previous relationships. His submissive nature contrasted sharply with his mother’s strong will. According to reports,”When Ramón married with María de los Ángeles,the mother tried to make her feel the influence she had on the son; But Maria was not a woman to be dominated. Ramón Marracho was seen between two strong and opposite characters.The two threw from him that, shy, scared, without will to decide or character to impose himself, he did not find a solution.”
A Breaking Point
The intense conflict between Ramón’s mother and wife ultimately led to a breaking point. After a significant argument, Ramón, driven to action for perhaps the first time in his life, sought out authorities to confess his crime and remove himself from the situation.
Madrid Dentist Confesses to 1914 Poisoning Conspiracy: A Q&A
What is the Madrid Dentist Poisoning Case?
this is a historical crime case from early 20th-century Madrid, where a dentist, Ramón de los Santos Marracho, confessed to poisoning a man, Dionisio Pérez Alegre, two years prior.He implicated his wife, María de los Ángeles, in the crime.
Who was Ramón de los Santos Marracho?
Ramón de los Santos Marracho was a dentist based in Madrid. He confessed to poisoning Dionisio Pérez Alegre, and later married Pérez Alegre’s widow, María de los Ángeles.
When did Ramón Marracho confess to the poisoning?
Ramón Marracho confessed to his crime in december 1916.
Who was the victim in this poisoning case?
The victim was Dionisio Pérez Alegre, the former husband of María de los Ángeles, the dentist’s wife.
What was the cause of death, according to Ramón Marracho’s confession?
According to Marracho’s confession, Dionisio Pérez Alegre died from arsenic poisoning.
What was the motive behind the poisoning?
The motive, as revealed during the subsequent investigations, centered around “a tangled web of passion, jealousy, and a desire to eliminate an obstacle.” The affair between Ramón and María and the impediment posed by her former husband, Pérez Alegre, were crucial factors.
How did the affair between ramón and María begin?
Their relationship began eight years before the poisoning. After a period of separation, during which María married Pérez Alegre, ramón returned from Cuba and rekindled the romance.
How did María de los Ángeles contribute to the crime?
According to Ramón’s confession, he provided the poison to his wife at her request. María admitted to requesting the poison and administering it to Pérez Alegre in a glass of milk at their residence on Jacometrezo Street.
What happened after Ramón Marracho’s confession?
Following Marracho’s confession:
* Authorities exhumed Pérez alegre’s body from Almudena Cemetery to confirm the cause of death.
* María de los Ángeles was incarcerated in the Women’s prison.
* Ramón was sent to the Model Jail.
Where was Dionisio Pérez Alegre’s body exhumed from?
The body was exhumed from Almudena Cemetery, in barracks number 55, apple 23, letter D.
What forensic examination was conducted?
Doctors Alonso Martínez and Moreno collected tissue and bone samples for analysis to confirm the cause of death.
What was Ramón Marracho’s psychological profile like?
Ramón was described as “dismembered, incoherent,” and possessing an “abulmic and perhaps unconscious personality,” and was placed in solitary confinement. He was characterized as a man-child dominated by his mother.
How did Ramón’s mother impact the situation?
Ramón’s mother was a domineering figure who interfered in his relationships.her controlling nature created conflicts in the household. The reports outlined that Ramón was caught between his mother’s strong will and his wife’s resistance to being controlled.
What was the breaking point that led to Ramón’s confession?
The intense conflict between Ramón’s mother and wife, culminating in a meaningful argument, led Ramón to confess his crime and seek a resolution.
Where were María de los Ángeles and Ramón Marracho imprisoned?
María de los Ángeles was imprisoned in the Women’s Prison, and Ramón Marracho was sent to the Model Jail.
Summarizing the Key Players and Their Roles
Here’s a table summarizing the key players in the Madrid Dentist Poisoning Case:
| Individual | Role | Key Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Ramón de los Santos Marracho | Dentist; husband of María | Confessed to poisoning; provided arsenic. |
| María de los Ángeles | Wife of Ramón; former wife of Dionisio Pérez Alegre | Requested the poison; administered poison to Pérez Alegre. |
| Dionisio Pérez Alegre | Victim | died from arsenic poisoning. |
| Ramón’s Mother | Dominating family member | Interfered in Ramón’s relationships, creating conflicts. |
