Mexican musician Jonathan Samuel Meléndez Ochoa, a founding member of the alternative band Camilo Séptimo, was killed alongside his pregnant wife, their three-year-old daughter and a domestic worker at a home in Atizapán de Zaragoza, in the State of Mexico.
The four victims were discovered inside the residence with their hands bound and suffering from gunshot wounds, according to the State of Mexico Attorney General's Office (FGJEM). Investigators believe the killings occurred on Monday, September 1, between 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. at a residential tower in the Grand Viure development, located in the Zona Esmeralda neighborhood.
Meléndez, 38, who performed under the stage name "Honas", was found dead along with his 35-year-old wife, who was four months pregnant, their three-year-old daughter, and a 21-year-old woman employed as a domestic worker in the house. A six-year-old boy, who is the couple's son, was found alive and unharmed in one of the bedrooms after emergency services were alerted by a family friend.
Suspects arrested in Mexico City
Hours after the discovery of the crime scene, authorities announced the arrest of two men identified as Diego Sebastián "N" and Gerardo "N" in Mexico City. The arrests were conducted through a joint operation involving federal security forces and capital city law enforcement officers.
Omar García Harfuch, the head of the federal Secretariat of Security and Protection of Citizens (SSPC), reported that initial findings indicate one of the suspects was a business partner of one of the victims. García Harfuch stated that the suspect allegedly used this existing relationship of trust to gain entry into the residence.
Both suspects are being placed at the disposal of judicial authorities while the criminal investigation proceeds to establish a clear motive. In accordance with Mexican legal procedure, prosecutors append the letter "N" to surnames to protect the presumption of innocence during active legal proceedings.
Unconfirmed reports on potential motive
Following the arrests, several media reports indicated that the killings might be linked to a financial dispute concerning a loan of 300,000 Mexican pesos, which equals approximately 17,000 US dollars. However, the State of Mexico Attorney General's Office has emphasized that this version of events has not been officially confirmed by investigators.
Atizapán de Zaragoza is a suburban municipality situated in the State of Mexico, located directly north-northwest of Mexico City. Its Zona Esmeralda district is recognized as an upscale residential area featuring private gated communities and apartment complexes.
Legacy with Camilo Séptimo
Born in Mexico City, Jonathan Samuel Meléndez Ochoa co-founded Camilo Séptimo in 2013 alongside guitarist Erik Vázquez. Vocalist and bassist Manuel "Coe" Mendoza later joined the group, completing the core lineup that would become a landmark band in Mexico's indie alternative scene.
As "Honas", Meléndez helped forge the band's distinctive sound using keyboards and synthesizers. In addition to performing on stage, he contributed as a songwriter and worked extensively across music production, audio recording, mixing, and mastering.
Camilo Séptimo gained widespread popularity with hit songs including "No confíes en mí", "Miénteme", "Vicio", "Inevitable", and "No te puedo olvidar". Over the course of their career, the band headlined major Mexican concert venues such as the Auditorio Nacional, the Palacio de los Deportes, and the Teatro Metropólitan in Mexico City, while appearing at major festivals including Vive Latino, Pa'l Norte, and Tecate Coordenada.
Recent album release and tour dates
Meléndez had remained actively involved with the group leading up to his death. In May 2026, Camilo Séptimo released their album Mapas II, a production on which Meléndez was credited as both composer and producer.
The group was in the middle of an active concert tour at the time of the tragedy. Camilo Séptimo had upcoming performance dates scheduled in several major Mexican cities, including Ciudad Juárez, Pachuca, León, and Tijuana.
