Mexican musician Jonathan Meléndez, best known as a member of the rock band Camilo Séptimo, was found dead alongside his pregnant wife, their young daughter, and the family’s housemaid at their residence in Atizapán, near Mexico City.
Fatal home invasion and investigation
The bodies were discovered on September 1 inside the family’s apartment. Authorities reported that Meléndez, his four-months pregnant wife, and their three-year-old daughter had each been bound and shot in the head. The housemaid was shot in the back. The family’s dog was also found dead at the scene.
The State Prosecutor’s Office for the State of Mexico opened an investigation into the killings. Evidence gathered at the scene indicated the attack was deliberate and carefully planned.
Local news outlets with access to the case reported that the motive was connected to Meléndez’s cryptocurrency holdings. Investigators said Meléndez had stored approximately $1.5 million in bitcoin on a hardware wallet kept at home. The targeted nature of the attack led authorities to focus on this significant crypto holding as a motive.
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AAPLWithin 12 hours of the discovery, Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, announced that two suspects had been detained in connection with the killings.
Meléndez kept $1.5 million in bitcoin within a hardware wallet at his residence, which investigators believe was the main target of the fatal attack. Authorities connected the suspects to the homicide through their prior knowledge of the cryptocurrency funds.
One of the detained, identified as Diego Sebastián “N,” was a known associate of Meléndez and reportedly used that connection to gain access to the residence. The second suspect, Gerardo “N,” has been accused of assisting in the crime, allegedly in exchange for a promised payment equivalent to nearly $120,000. Officials claimed both suspects knew about the location and existence of the bitcoin hardware wallet before entering the apartment.
Investigators believe the suspects entered the home specifically to obtain the contents of the hardware wallet. During the home invasion, Meléndez reportedly warned his attackers that others were aware of their presence, prompting the suspects to kill all those inside to avoid leaving witnesses.
Mini dictionary: Hardware wallet – A physical device used to securely store cryptocurrency offline, protecting it from digital theft and unauthorized online access.
Authorities’ response and legal action
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the attack in a press conference, expressing condolences and describing the incident as “a very sad, regrettable situation.” She stated that the ongoing dispute between the parties involved had been previously reported, and confirmed that ongoing support is being provided to affected families by authorities.
Both Diego Sebastián “N” and Gerardo “N” now face charges of first-degree murder, with each count carrying up to 70 years in prison. Prosecutors are pursuing the maximum penalty in light of the severity and premeditated nature of the crime.
| Suspect Name | Relationship to Victim | Accusation | Potential Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Sebastián “N” | Associate | First-degree murder | Up to 70 years per victim |
| Gerardo “N” | Accomplice (not a known associate) | First-degree murder | Up to 70 years per victim |
This incident is considered one of the most serious wrench attacks in Mexico to date. A wrench attack refers to a crime where physical force or coercion is used to obtain access to cryptocurrency, rather than exploiting digital vulnerabilities.
Reports indicate that wrench attacks have seen a rise globally as awareness of high-value crypto holdings becomes more widespread. High-profile holders, including exchange executives, have been targeted in related crimes in recent years.
Both suspects remain in custody as the investigation continues.
