Carlos Eduardo Robledo Puch, born January 19, 1952, in Buenos Aires, was an Argentine serial killer dubbed 'El Angel Negro' (The Black Angel) and 'El Angel de la Muerte' for his youthful, cherubic appearance. Between 1971 and 1972, mostly alongside accomplices, he committed a string of robberies, rapes, and murders. Arrested in February 1972 at age 20, he was convicted in 1980 and sentenced to life imprisonment (reclusion perpetua). He is Argentina's longest-serving prisoner.
Known Victims
At least 11 total — known victims include:
Multiple victims (11 confirmed murders)
Location
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Summary
Argentine serial killer Carlos Robledo Puch, nicknamed 'The Black Angel of Death,' murdered eleven people during a 1971-72 crime spree before his capture at age 20.
Details
Carlos Robledo Puch carried out a spree of burglaries, robberies, rapes, and murders in and around Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina, mainly during 1971 and 1972, often partnering with accomplices such as Jorge Ibanez and Antonio Briceno. He was convicted of 11 murders, one attempted murder, 17 robberies, rapes, and other offenses. Arrested on February 3, 1972, he was sentenced in 1980 to life imprisonment plus indefinite confinement (reclusion por tiempo indeterminado). His case inspired the 2018 film 'El Angel.' He remains incarcerated as the longest-serving prisoner in Argentine history.
Overview
Carlos Eduardo Robledo Puch is an Argentine serial killer convicted of eleven murders, along with numerous robberies, sexual assaults and thefts, committed between 1971 and 1972 in and around Buenos Aires Province. Born on 19 January 1952 in the Olivos neighborhood of Vicente Lopez, he was barely twenty years old at the time of his arrest. The press dubbed him 'El Angel Negro' (The Black Angel) and the 'Angel de la Muerte' (Angel of Death), in part because of his youthful, cherubic appearance and curly blond hair, which contrasted sharply with the brutality of his crimes. He is regarded as one of the most notorious criminals in Argentine history.
His crime spree, though short in duration, was marked by extreme violence and an apparent indifference toward his victims, many of whom were killed during robberies or shot while sleeping or otherwise defenseless. Robledo Puch has remained imprisoned since his 1972 capture, making him among the longest-serving prisoners in Argentina.
Crime Spree of 1971-1972
Robledo Puch carried out his offenses largely alongside accomplices, most notably Jorge Antonio Ibanez, with whom he committed robberies of businesses, garages and other establishments. The crimes frequently escalated to murder, with victims shot at close range. Beyond homicide, his recorded offenses included armed robberies, attempted murders, rapes and thefts of cars and goods. The spree spanned roughly a year and was concentrated in the suburbs and surrounding areas of greater Buenos Aires.
Among the most widely reported episodes was a robbery at a nightclub or commercial premises during which multiple people were shot. Ibanez, his frequent partner in crime, died in 1972 in a car accident or shooting incident, the circumstances of which were attributed by authorities to the pair's criminal activity. Robledo Puch's victims included night watchmen, business employees and others who happened to be present during the robberies, underscoring the opportunistic and remorseless nature of the killings.
Arrest and Trial
Robledo Puch was arrested on 3 February 1972. Following his capture, he was charged with a long list of crimes, and the investigation attributed to him eleven murders, one attempted murder, numerous robberies, and several sexual assaults, among other offenses. The case drew enormous public attention in Argentina, both for the scale of the violence and the young age and unremarkable appearance of the perpetrator.
In 1980, he was convicted and sentenced to reclusion perpetua (life imprisonment), the maximum penalty available under Argentine law, which does not include the death penalty for such crimes. Because he was a minor or very young adult at the time of some offenses, and given Argentine sentencing law, his punishment did not extend to capital punishment. The court also declared him to be of a dangerous disposition, a designation that affects the conditions of release under Argentine law.
Imprisonment and Later Years
Robledo Puch has spent decades incarcerated, primarily at the Sierra Chica prison in Olavarria, Buenos Aires Province. Over the years he has periodically sought parole or release, but such requests have generally been denied, in part owing to the gravity of his crimes and assessments of his conduct and risk. His continued imprisonment has made him one of the longest-serving inmates in Argentine penal history, having been behind bars since 1972.
Reports over the years have described his life in prison, including accounts of his interests and routines. His case remains a frequent subject of media retrospectives in Argentina, and debates surrounding his potential release have recurred at intervals, drawing renewed public interest each time the possibility is raised.
Media and Cultural Impact
The case inspired the 2018 Argentine film 'El Angel' (The Angel), directed by Luis Ortega, which dramatized Robledo Puch's crime spree and youth. The film, with Lorenzo Ferro in the lead role and produced in part by the Almodovar brothers' company El Deseo, was selected to screen in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival and brought renewed international attention to the case. It was also submitted as Argentina's entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Robledo Puch's nickname, the 'Black Angel of Death,' and the contrast between his appearance and his crimes have cemented his place in Argentine true-crime lore. His case is frequently cited in discussions of serial crime in Latin America and continues to be referenced in books, documentaries and news features decades after the events.
Video Coverage
Frequently asked questions
What was the Carlos Robledo Puch - The Black Angel of Death case?
Argentine serial killer Carlos Robledo Puch, nicknamed 'The Black Angel of Death,' murdered eleven people during a 1971-72 crime spree before his capture at age 20.
Who was responsible for Carlos Robledo Puch - The Black Angel of Death?
Carlos Eduardo Robledo Puch. Carlos Eduardo Robledo Puch, born January 19, 1952, in Buenos Aires, was an Argentine serial killer dubbed 'El Angel Negro' (The Black Angel) and 'El Angel de la Muerte' for his youthful, cherubic appearance. Between 1971 and 1972, mostly alongside accomplices, he committed a string of robberies, rapes, and murders. Arrested in February 1972 at age 20, he was convicted in 1980 and sentenced to life imprisonment (reclusion perpetua). He is Argentina's longest-serving prisoner.
How many victims were there in the Carlos Robledo Puch - The Black Angel of Death case?
At least 11 victims are associated with this case, including named victims such as Multiple victims (11 confirmed murders).
Where and when did the Carlos Robledo Puch - The Black Angel of Death case take place?
It took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1972.
Was the Carlos Robledo Puch - The Black Angel of Death case solved?
