Gonzalo Montoya, better known as the “soaring prisoner,” is at the center of a recurring, life‑threatening episode that once again tested the vigilance of the prison staff. On a Saturday night, he required immediate medical intervention after a period of heavy drug use inside the Asturias Prison. Prison officers, supported by medical professionals and ambulance crews, worked tirelessly to stabilize him and evacuate him to hospital staff. Montoya has since begun a gradual recovery in the infirmary of the Asturias prison after a brief stay at HUCA, the Central University Hospital of Asturias.
Montoya is sometimes referred to as the “resurrected prisoner,” a label that stems from a dramatic incident on January 7, 2018, when he was reported as deceased before doctors managed to resuscitate him. Reports later noted a complex combination of medications and critical physiological decline, including a barely perceptible pulse and dangerously low body temperature. The body was transported to the Institute of Forensic Medicine, where movement and respiration returned after a period of clinical death. In that earlier case, Montoya pursued damages in court seeking 50,000 euros for the ordeal. In the most recent incident, medical teams conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation for more than 45 minutes before securing a response and transferring him to a treatment facility.
Observations from hospital and prison staff recount how a coordinated effort by nurses and doctors inside the cell area helped pull Montoya back from the brink. After this episode, he was released from prison but later faced multiple legal challenges, including allegations of robbery and, in a separate incident, an arrest during a vehicle stop by civil authorities that led to his return to confinement. Authorities verified his identity, confirmed the existence of an outstanding arrest warrant, and noted the prior involvement with institutional staff who had played a crucial role in his earlier rescue. Montoya’s relationship with some prison officials has shaped public perception of the events and the ongoing management of his case.
Authorities’ complaints
Prison staff filed formal complaints related to safety and health risks in the facility, highlighting ongoing concerns about the handling of drugs and the potential for overdoses. The pattern, they argued, is aggravated by the weekend and holiday periods when multiple inmates with polydrug dependencies may use substances for several days. Reports suggest that such conditions heighten the danger of overdose, especially when other illegal substances are involved. In addition, officials have spent months drawing attention to staffing shortages, noting that a significant portion of posts remain unfilled, with about 135 of the 547 positions at the center vacant. The situation underscores the challenge of maintaining continuous supervision and medical readiness in a high‑risk environment.