Mexican musician, pregnant wife, child and nanny killed in grisly shootings

September 3, 2026 3oliver

Mexican musician, pregnant wife, child and nanny killed in grisly shootings

Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN

Thu, September 3, 2026 at 3:39 AM UTC

2 min read

Jonathan Meléndez attends a press conference at Palacio de Los Deportes in Mexico City, in 2024. - Adrián Monroy/Medios y Media/Getty Images — Jonathan Meléndez attends a press conference at Palacio de Los Deportes in Mexico City, in 2024. – Adrián Monroy/Medios y Media/Getty Images

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story contains details some readers might find disturbing.

A Mexican musician, his pregnant wife and 3-year-old daughter, as well as their nanny and a family dog were found dead on Tuesday, in a gruesome homicide case.

Jonathan Meléndez, the 38-year-old keyboardist of the well-known indie rock band Camilo Séptimo, was among those found dead in an apartment in an upscale neighborhood near Mexico City late Tuesday night, the State of Mexico Attorney General’s Office said. His wife, Ana Paula, 35, was four months pregnant.

The second woman’s family confirmed to reporters that the 21-year-old, named Aleida Romero Victorio, worked for the couple as a nanny.

“She was a very hardworking and responsible girl who did not deserve for this to be done to her,” said her aunt, Lorena Victorio Cabrera.

Three of the victims – including the young girl – were shot in the head, authorities said, while the other was shot in the back.

“Two of the victims were found with their hands bound,” the prosecutor’s office said. The dog was found dead, with its legs tied.

A 6-year-old boy was found alive at the scene and was unharmed, they added.

Authorities believe the killings occurred between 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. on Tuesday.

Meléndez’s band said he would be remembered “with immense love and gratitude.”

“Today we honor and celebrate his life, his music, his light, and what he shared with those of us fortunate enough to know him and walk alongside him,” Camilo Séptimo said on Instagram.

Two men were arrested in connection with the deaths on Wednesday, in a joint operation involving the State of Mexico Prosecutor’s Office, the federal Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection and the Mexico City Secretariat of Citizen Security.

Two men were arrested for their alleged involvement in a multiple homicide in Atizapán de Zaragoza, State of Mexico; the victims included musician Jonathan Meléndez, a member of the band Camilo Séptimo. - Office of Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Mexico — Two men were arrested for their alleged involvement in a multiple homicide in Atizapán de Zaragoza, State of Mexico; the victims included musician Jonathan Meléndez, a member of the band Camilo Séptimo. – Office of Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Mexico

An associate of Meléndez, identified as Diego Sebastián “N,” is accused of being the probable perpetrator, the prosecutor’s office said.

Another man identified as Gerardo “N” is also under investigation for his alleged involvement.

CNN is trying to determine if the detainees have legal representation.

One of the suspects allegedly “exploited” his relationship with one of the victims to enter the home, according to Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s secretary of security and citizen protection.

The prosecutor’s office said it would disclose the circumstances of the killings and the legal status of the detainees at the appropriate procedural stage.

CNN’s Michael Rios contributed to this report.

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