Mexican President Calls Murders of Camilo Séptimo Keyboardist Jonathan Meléndez & His Family ‘Deplorable’

UPDATE (Sept. 3): Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her sorrow on Thursday (Sept. 3) over the murder of Jonathan Meléndez — keyboardist for the rock band Camilo Séptimo — as well as his pregnant wife, his 3-year-old daughter and a domestic worker. The crime took place on Tuesday (Sept. 1) in the State of Mexico, sending shockwaves across the country.

“It is indeed a very sad, truly deplorable situation,” the president said during her morning press conference. “Arrests have already been made, and the cause is known: a dispute the family had with another family — something that even appeared in the media. Support is being provided to the families.”

In a statement shared with Billboard Español on Wednesday night and posted on their social media, the members of Camilo Séptimo expressed the deep grief with which they bid farewell to “Honas” — as Meléndez was called — and his family. They also offered their condolences to the family of Aleyda, the domestic worker employed by Meléndez household, and thanked the State of Mexico authorities for their efforts to shed light on the crime.

“We will always remember Honas with immense love and gratitude,” the band stated. “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.”

PREVIOUSLY (Sept. 2): Jonathan Meléndez, keyboardist for the Mexican rock band Camilo Séptimo, was murdered along with three members of his family in his apartment in the municipality of Atizapán de Zaragoza, near Mexico City, the State of Mexico Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday (Sept. 2).

According to the prosecutor’s office, on Tuesday, Atizapán de Zaragoza municipal police reported the discovery of four deceased victims, one of whom was four months pregnant. A 6-year-old child was also found alive and unharmed inside the apartment in a residential complex.

“The victims, a 38-year-old male, music producer and songwriter identified by the initials J.S.M.O., his 35-year-old pregnant wife, their 3-year-old daughter, and a 21-year-old female,” the authorities stated in the report. “Even a dog, the family pet, was found tied up.”

In a message posted on social media, Mexico’s Secretary of Public Security, Omar García Harfuch, announced that two men had been arrested as the alleged perpetrators of the murders. According to the official, initial investigations revealed that one of the suspects was a business partner of one of the victims and “allegedly used that relationship of trust to gain access to the residence.” García Harfuch stated that the two suspects would be brought to justice for this crime.

The news caused shock and outrage in the Mexican music scene, as Meléndez had been a key figure in shaping Camilo Séptimo’s sound since its formation more than a decade ago.

Born in Mexico City, Jonathan “Honas” Meléndez was a keyboardist, songwriter and producer and one of Camilo Séptimo’s three official members since its founding in 2013. His work on keyboards and synthesizers greatly contributed to solidifying the band’s signature synth-pop and ethereal sound, as heard on albums including Navegantes (2019) and Ecos (2022), released under Universal Music México.

The band received a nomination for the MTV Miaw Awards in 2022 and has collaborated with artists such as Ximena Sariñana, Francisca Valenzuela, Porter and Samantha Barrón. They have performed at festivals like Tecate Pa’l Norte, Tecate Coordenada and Sonorama Ribera, and have shared the stage with bands like Kings of Leon and Belle and Sebastian.