The Fate of María Ángeles Molina: The Criminal in Netflix's 'Angi: Fake Life, True Crime'

The documentary 'Angi: Fake Life, True Crime' unravels the disturbing case of a woman who ended her coworker's life, making it seem like a tragic accident during an illicit game, all to assume her identity.

This new addition to Netflix's host of true crime stories, which debuted last Friday, complements titles such as 'American Nightmare,' 'Monster,' and 'Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer.'

The Crime and its Execution

Back in 2008, Angi, the alias of María Ángeles Molina, extended an invitation to her colleague, Ana Páez—a designer—to her apartment in Barcelona. There, she used chloroform to render her unconscious and subsequently suffocated her with a bag. Intent on creating false evidence, she left traces of semen from two individuals employed in the sex industry.

During her trial in 2012, testimonies surfaced, including one from a brothel worker claiming Molina visited his establishment, not for services, but because of a wager with her friends.

A Deceptive Disguise

Molina, under the guise of Páez, lived a lie for two years before the murder. She brazenly acquired various loans and insurances under Páez’s identity from April 2006 to November 2007. She was even captured on security cameras in a Spanish bank, wearing a wig to mimic her victim.

Evidence in the form of documents, including Páez's passport, was uncovered by Molina’s then-boyfriend, tucked away in their bathroom.

Media's Take: The Untouchable Crime

The chilling sequence of events earned the moniker “the near-perfect crime,” as reported by Netflix.

Legal Consequences and Latest Developments

In March 2012, Molina received a 22-year sentence, which Spain's Supreme Court later adjusted to 18 years due to her convictions for killing and document forgery.

Currently, she serves her term at Mas D'Enric prison in Tarragona, Spain.

Initially set for parole in 2027, her fate took another turn in March 2025, when she was detained again during a release period from prison. Authorities implicated her in plotting another murder, potentially involving a hired killer.

Details on the intended victim remain confidential, but reports indicate Molina opted not to provide testimony in these proceedings.