Mexican authorities are investigating the Sept. 1 killings of musician Jonathan Meléndez, his wife, their young daughter and the family’s housemaid at the family’s apartment in Atizapán, in a case local media have linked to Meléndez’s cryptocurrency savings.
Meléndez, a member of the rock band Camilo Séptimo, was allegedly targeted because he held roughly $1.5 million in bitcoin in a hardware wallet. Investigators detained two suspects within 12 hours, including a man described as an associate who allegedly knew about the holdings and used that relationship to enter the home.
Victims found shot inside the apartment
According to the investigation described in local reports, Meléndez and his four-month-pregnant wife were found tied up and shot in the head. Their three-year-old daughter was also killed, and the housemaid was found with a gunshot wound to the back.
Authorities have described the case as one of the worst wrench attacks seen in Mexico. The term is used for crimes in which attackers rely on coercion or physical violence to obtain access to crypto assets rather than attempting a remote hack.
Investigators focus on hardware wallet and prior relationship
Local media reported that investigators connected the killings to a hardware wallet said to contain about $1.5 million in BTC. Prosecutors allege the assailants entered the home looking for that device and the funds tied to it.
One of the detained suspects, identified as Diego Sebastian “N,” was described as an associate of Meléndez who allegedly used his connection to gain access to the apartment. A second suspect, Gerardo “N,” was allegedly promised about $120,000 for taking part and was believed to know about the victim’s crypto holdings when the attack was carried out.
Arrests made within hours
Authorities said both suspects were detained in less than 12 hours. The case is also being linked to a debt dispute, according to the investigation cited in the source report.
Police released images of the main suspects as the inquiry moved forward. Prosecutors further indicated that during the assault Meléndez threatened the attackers by suggesting that other witnesses could identify or expose them, a detail investigators believe may have contributed to the violence continuing and multiple killings being committed.
Official reaction and what comes next
President Claudia Sheinbaum called the case a very sad and regrettable situation. She also said the dispute behind the killings was known and that support was being provided to the affected families.
The two suspects face up to 70 years in prison for each first-degree murder. The case has also drawn attention because it comes amid a broader rise in wrench attacks globally, as criminals increasingly target people believed to hold significant crypto savings. The next confirmed step is the continuation of the criminal case against the detained suspects as prosecutors pursue the homicide charges.
Source: news.bitcoin.com