Naman Shrestha
Originally titled ‘El depredador de Sevilla,’ Netflix’s ‘The Predator of Seville’ is a three-part documentary series that primarily delves deep into the similar accounts of various women, who claim that they had been drugged and sexually assaulted by a Spanish tour guide during their international trips. The docuseries also explores the tragic demise of a young Pennsylvania native, Lauren Bajorek, who passed away in Spain, where she had gone for her summer internship. Although the case was open and shut at first, subsequent allegations against the tour guide led her family and others to question the official ruling and suspect foul play.
Lauren Bajorek Met Her Untimely Demise During Her Trip to Spain
Born in July 1994 in York County, Pennsylvania, Lauren N. Bajorek was the beloved daughter of Ronald and Carey Bajorek. The York Suburban High School graduate was a member of several societies, such as the National, Spanish, and Tri-M Music Honor Societies, the York Youth Symphony Orchestra, the marching band, and the orchestra. In 2009 and 2011, Lauren attended the Interlochen International Music Camp, where she served as a counselor in 2013. For higher studies, she attended Penn State University, where she pursued Finance and minored in Spanish and Music. During her college years, she was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity, the International Horn Society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Penn State Finance Society, and Women in Business.
Given her passion and talent for music, she also performed with the Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra, the Penn State Band, the Horn Ensembles, the Brass Quintet, and several chamber music groups. Lauren also had the honor of performing for the National Christian Choir. Besides music, she also loved dancing and spending time in the water as a certified scuba diver. Described as a kind and giving individual, Lauren was also known for volunteering with numerous non-profit organizations, including THON. During her senior year at Penn State University, she traveled to Seville, Spain, for an eight-week summer internship program in 2015.
After finishing the program, Lauren was preparing to return home when tragedy struck, cutting her life short in a foreign land. To celebrate her 21st birthday, she went outside with her friends but didn’t return home. Instead, her remains were found outside an apartment in Seville. The authorities examined the scene and theorized that she had fallen off the balcony of the apartment outside which her remains were found. Thus, they deemed her death an accident and closed the investigation.
Lauren Bajorek’s Death Was Linked to Manuel Vela Blanco a Few Years Later
While the investigators concluded that the manner of Lauren Bajorek’s death was accidental, there were many who believed that some foul play was involved. About three years later, in April 2018, when Gabrielle Vega made an appearance on the Today Show with Megyn Kelly, she alleged that Manuel Vela Blanco, a Spanish tour guide named who worked at Discover Excursions, had drugged and sexually assaulted her during a trip to Morocco.
It was later officially declared that Lauren had fallen off the balcony of Manuel’s apartment in Seville, Spain. The suspicion surrounding the guide’s possible involvement in Lauren’s death led several other women to come forward and share their stories encircling Manuel. While her mother, Carey Bajorek, strongly believed that the Spanish guide was responsible for her daughter’s death, it is imperative to note that Manuel hasn’t been charged in connection with Lauren Bajorek’s death and maintains his innocence regarding the allegations.
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