TLDR
- Musician Jonathan Meléndez, his pregnant wife, their young daughter, and their housemaid were found dead in Atizapán, Mexico.
- Investigators say the killings were tied to $1.5 million in bitcoin Meléndez kept in a hardware wallet.
- Two suspects were arrested within 12 hours, one of whom was a known associate of Meléndez.
- The suspects face up to 70 years in prison for each victim under first degree murder charges.
- The case adds to a rising number of crypto related “wrench attacks” happening around the world.
Jonathan Meléndez, a member of the Mexican rock band Camilo Séptimo, was found dead along with his family on September 1. The killings happened inside their apartment in Atizapán, a city near Mexico City.
Meléndez’s wife, who was four months pregnant, was also killed. Their three year old daughter, the family’s housemaid, and the family dog were found dead at the scene as well.
According to Mexico’s State Prosecutor’s Office, Meléndez and his wife were tied up and shot in the head. Their daughter died the same way. The housemaid was shot in the back.
What Investigators Found
Local media outlets with access to the investigation say the attack was tied to Meléndez’s crypto holdings. He reportedly kept $1.5 million worth of bitcoin in a hardware wallet at the home.
Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar Garcia Harfuch, announced two arrests less than 12 hours after the bodies were discovered. Officials say the attack stemmed from a debt dispute.
One suspect, identified only as Diego Sebastian “N,” was an associate of Meléndez. Investigators say he used that relationship to get into the home.
The second suspect, identified as Gerardo “N,” was reportedly promised close to $120,000 to help carry out the attack. Both men are accused of knowing about the bitcoin wallet before entering the property.
Investigators believe the two men went to the apartment specifically to find the hardware wallet holding the bitcoin funds.
During the break in, officials say Meléndez warned the attackers that other people knew they were inside the home. Investigators believe this led the suspects to kill everyone present rather than leave witnesses behind.
Government Response
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the case during a press conference on Thursday. She called it “a very sad, regrettable situation.”
Sheinbaum said the dispute between the families involved was already known and had appeared in media reports before the killings. She added that the affected families are receiving support from authorities.
Diego Sebastian “N” and Gerardo “N” now face first degree murder charges. Each charge carries a possible sentence of up to 70 years in prison, meaning the men could face decades behind bars for each of the four victims.
The case is one of the worst instances of a wrench attack recorded in Mexico. Wrench attacks refer to crimes where someone is targeted specifically because of known crypto holdings, rather than through digital hacking.
Reports show wrench attacks have been increasing worldwide as more people hold crypto for savings and daily use. Exchange executives and other high profile crypto holders have also been targeted in recent incidents.
As of the latest updates, both suspects remain in custody while the investigation continues.
