Shivangi Sinha
In February 2008, authorities discovered the body of Ana María Páez Capitán in Barcelona, Spain. Initially believed to be linked to a sexual assault case, the investigation soon shifted focus. Evidence eventually pointed to María Ángeles Molina, known as “Angi,” revealing she had been assuming the victim’s identity. As detectives delved deeper, suspicions also arose surrounding the 1996 death of Angi’s husband. Netflix’s ‘Angi: Fake Life, True Crime’ explores the case and features those who knew her, painting a fuller picture of her life.
María Molina “Angi” Moved With Her Daughter After Her Husband’s Death
María Ángeles Molina Fernández, known as “Angi,” was born in Barcelona, Spain. Her mother primarily managed the household while doing some sewing work on the side, and her father worked as a small-scale trader. She had a routine, middle-class upbringing. As she got older, Angi sought independence. She eventually moved in with a friend and started a job at a textile factory. Over time, she advanced in her career and also found love. While in Gran Canaria, Spain, she was involved in an accident and left stranded by the roadside. Juan Antonio Álvarez Litben, a rising entrepreneur from a good family, stopped to help her, took her to the hospital, and since she didn’t know anyone locally, he visited her regularly during her recovery.
Juan’s family alleged that Angi had fabricated her background, falsely presenting herself as the daughter of a prominent lawyer. Despite their doubts, the relationship progressed rapidly, and within a few months of meeting, Juan and Angi got married. They soon welcomed a daughter, and everything appeared stable in their home. However, in 1996, after returning from a trip to Barcelona, Angi called the police to report that her husband was unconscious. Juan was found beside the bed and declared dead at the scene. An autopsy revealed toxins in his body, and his death was ruled a suicide. Shortly afterward, Angi sold their home and relocated to Barcelona with her daughter, seemingly starting a new chapter in life.
María Molina “Angi” Was Arrested for the Murder of a Fashion Designer
On February 19, 2008, police discovered the remains of Ana María Páez Capitán in a rented apartment in Barcelona. The 35-year-old fashion designer’s death initially appeared to be linked to a possible sexual assault. The apartment had been rented under her name for three days, and the last known person to see her was her former boss, Angi. The latter claimed she was in Zaragoza to collect her father’s ashes and said Ana had canceled their meeting, asking her to “play along.” Investigators found that €600 had been withdrawn from Ana’s account that morning, but she was confirmed to be at work. CCTV footage revealed it was Angi who made the withdrawal.
Angi had worn a wig during the bank withdrawal, but she was still clearly identifiable on CCTV. A similar wig was also discovered at the crime scene, linking her further to the incident. Investigators traced her movements and confirmed she had traveled to collect her father’s ashes, but there was sufficient time for her to make the trip and return to commit the crime. Along the way, she had stopped at multiple insurance offices, impersonating Ana to make deposits. During a second police interrogation, Angi gave conflicting accounts of her whereabouts. The most damning evidence came when Ana’s documents and identification were found hidden behind a water tank in Angi’s apartment. She was arrested and charged with murder.
María Molina “Angi” is Facing New Charges Today
María Ángeles Molina “Angi” Fernández’s trial began in 2012, during which the prosecution presented key evidence against her. A hair found in the wig recovered at the crime scene matched her DNA. Prosecutors argued that she had been impersonating Ana Páez for two years and had taken out multiple life insurance policies and lines of credit in her name. Two male sex workers testified that Angi had requested semen samples under false pretenses. These samples matched those found at the crime scene and the police believed she had used them to mislead the investigation. The prosecution claimed Angi lured Ana to the rented apartment by inviting her to dinner, then drugged and killed her. In March 2012, the Barcelona High Court found her guilty of homicide and document falsification, sentencing her to 22 years in prison.
Angi’s defense team filed an appeal, and the Supreme Court reduced her sentence to 18 years. Following her conviction, the family of her late ex-husband, Juan Álvarez, requested that his 1996 death be re-investigated. They contested the initial ruling of suicide and alleged that Angi may have been involved. However, the official cause of death remains suicide, and no new legal proceedings have been approved. According to recent reports, Angi was being held at Mas d’Enric prison in Tarragona province, northeastern Spain. Though originally scheduled for release in 2027, she was granted temporary release in 2025. In March 2025, she was re-arrested on suspicion of plotting a murder from inside prison. No further details have been made public. Reports also indicate she has altered her appearance, changed her name, and declined to testify in the new case.
Read More: Ana Maria Paez Capitan Murder Details and Investigation Timeline
