Jonathan "Honas" Meléndez, the keyboardist, producer and founding member of Mexican indie-rock band Camilo Séptimo, was killed alongside his pregnant wife, their 3-year-old daughter and a 21-year-old household employee inside the family's apartment near Mexico City.
Authorities arrested two men in connection with the four killings less than 12 hours after the victims were discovered. One of the suspects was a business partner of Meléndez and allegedly used that relationship of trust to enter the family's home, Mexico's Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said.
The attack occurred Tuesday, Sept. 1, between approximately 5:30 and 7:40 p.m. at the Grand Viure residential complex in Zona Esmeralda, an affluent area of Atizapán de Zaragoza in the State of Mexico, according to the State of Mexico Attorney General's Office.
Meléndez was 38. His wife, identified by the band as Ana Paula, was 35 and four months pregnant. Their daughter Sofía and a 21-year-old woman named Aleyda Romero were also killed. Authorities found the family's dog dead inside the apartment.
A 6-year-old boy, the couple's son, survived the attack and was found inside the residence without visible injuries. He was later placed in the care of relatives.
Municipal police received the report shortly before midnight. Investigators said two of the adult victims had been restrained. All four victims suffered gunshot wounds.
Authorities identified the two detained men as Diego Sebastián "N" and Gerardo "N," following the Mexican practice of withholding suspects' surnames during an active criminal investigation.
Prosecutors described Diego Sebastián as Meléndez's business partner and the probable principal perpetrator. Gerardo is being investigated for his suspected participation, although authorities have not formally detailed his alleged role.
"The coordination between authorities in the State of Mexico, Mexico City and the Government of Mexico allowed both individuals to be located and detained in less than 12 hours," García Harfuch said while announcing the arrests.
Investigators believe one suspect's personal relationship with the family allowed the men to access the highly secured residential building without forcing their way inside.
Meléndez had reportedly warned a friend that he planned to meet with a business associate with whom he was experiencing financial disagreements. According to N+, the musician asked the friend to contact authorities if he stopped responding after the meeting.
Surveillance cameras reportedly recorded Diego Sebastián entering an elevator in the complex at approximately 5:24 p.m. while wearing a cap, sunglasses and carrying a backpack.
The motive has not been officially established. State prosecutors said they would release additional information about the circumstances of the killings and the suspects' legal status as the investigation progresses.
Reports citing sources close to the investigation say Meléndez and Diego Sebastián had business interests involving vacation properties rented through online platforms. A financial dispute involving 300,000 Mexican pesos, approximately $16,000, is reportedly under investigation. Authorities, however, have not confirmed that amount or determined that money was the definitive motive.
Camilo Séptimo released a statement mourning Meléndez and the other victims.
"With profound sorrow, we say goodbye to our dear brother Jonathan Samuel Meléndez Ochoa, 'Honas,'" the group said. "We will always remember him with immense love and gratitude. Today we honor and celebrate his life, his music, his light and everything shared with those of us who had the fortune of knowing him and walking alongside him."
The band added that Ana Paula and Sofía would "live forever in our hearts" and offered condolences to Romero's family and friends.
Meléndez founded Camilo Séptimo in Mexico City in 2013 with singer and bassist Manuel "Coe" Mendoza and guitarist Erik Vázquez. His keyboards and synthesizers became a defining element of the band's combination of indie rock, synthpop and psychedelic sounds.
He contributed as a musician, composer, arranger and producer to songs including "No confíes en mí," "Vicio," "Miénteme," "Inevitable" and "Contacto." The group grew from performances in small venues and university campuses to appearances at Vive Latino, Mexico City's Auditorio Nacional and the Palacio de los Deportes.
Camilo Séptimo described Meléndez's music as an enduring part of the band's history while calling on authorities to fully clarify the crime. Two suspects remain in custody, but prosecutors have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that both must be presumed innocent until convicted in court.
