Five members of Grupo Fugitivo, a band known for performing Mexican regional music at various events, have been confirmed deceased after going missing since Sunday. Authorities located their remains on the outskirts of Reynosa, a city near the Texas border, as reported by CBS News and the Associated Press. State prosecutors have arrested nine individuals believed to be associated with the Gulf Cartel, which has a strong presence in the area.
The bandmates, whose ages ranged from 20 to 40, were reportedly kidnapped from their SUV around 10 PM Sunday while en route to a venue they believed had hired them for a performance. Instead of an audience, they arrived at an empty lot, according to family members. Another band member, identified only as Carlos, arrived late to the supposed concert location and, after failing to contact the group, decided to head back home, as detailed by El Pais.
Sources close to Carlos indicate that he is safe, though his whereabouts remain undisclosed due to the violent circumstances surrounding his bandmates. Following their disappearance, families began receiving ransom demands. While prosecutors have not confirmed a motive, relatives and additional sources argue that the killings were deliberate and that the booking for their performance was a ruse. The band’s vehicle was later discovered abandoned approximately four miles from the location where their bodies were found; local reports indicate the remains were burned.
Fader provides further insights into the troubling trend of Mexican drug cartels targeting artists in Mexico, raising questions about the safety of performers within the region.