
A Mexican musician, his pregnant wife and their 3-year-old daughter were shot and killed inside their home near Mexico City, while the couple’s 6-year-old son was found unharmed, authorities said.
Jonathan Meléndez, a keyboardist for the Mexican band Camilo Séptimo, was found dead alongside his wife, young daughter and the family’s 21-year-old nanny in the Zona Esmeralda area of Atizapán de Zaragoza. Two suspects have since been arrested in connection with the killings.
“The victims were a 38-year-old male music producer and composer with the initials J.S.M.O., his 35-year-old pregnant wife, their 3-year-old daughter and a 21-year-old woman,” the State of Mexico Prosecutor’s Office said.
Authorities said two of the victims were found bound. Those victims and the 3-year-old girl suffered gunshot wounds to the head, while the fourth victim had been shot in the back. Investigators believe the killings occurred Tuesday, Sept. 1, between approximately 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m.
Amid the devastating scene, authorities found the couple’s 6-year-old son alive and unharmed inside the residence. Officials have not disclosed how the boy escaped injury.
Two men, identified as Diego Sebastián “N” and Gerardo “N,” were arrested in connection with the killings. Authorities said one of the suspects was a business associate of Meléndez and allegedly used that relationship to enter the home.
“They allegedly took advantage of a relationship of trust between one of them and the victims to gain access to the residence,” authorities said.
Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s secretary of security and citizen protection, said law enforcement agencies moved quickly following the killings, with authorities apprehending the suspects within hours.
“Given the gravity of the crime, the institutions acted immediately and in a coordinated manner,” Harfuch said. “The two suspects are now in custody and will be brought to justice.”
Authorities continue to investigate what led to the killings.
As the investigation moves forward, Meléndez’s bandmates are mourning the musician they knew as “Honas” and remembering the life and music he leaves behind.
“We will always remember Honas with immense love and gratitude,” Camilo Séptimo said in a statement. “Today we honor and celebrate his life, his music, his light and the time shared with those of us fortunate enough to know him and walk the path alongside him.”
The tragedy leaves a 6-year-old boy without his parents, his younger sister and the sibling his mother was carrying. Meléndez’s family, friends and fans are also mourning a musician whose bandmates say will be remembered for far more than his music.