Wave of Murders Cuts Down Mexican Musicians

13 unexplained killings in 18 months plague grupero scene

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 18, 2007 12:45 PM CST

(Newser) – Some of Mexico’s biggest music stars are being murdered, often in gruesome fashion, and no one’s sure why, the New York Times reports. The past year and a half has seen the killings of 13 Mexican musicians, all purveyors of grupero, a country-esque style often dealing with drugs and crime. Police suspect gang involvement, but they have no evidence and usually no motives.

When K-Paz frontman Sergio Gomez’s body turned up tortured and strangled, it was especially shocking because K-Paz sang about love, not crime. Frightened musicians are canceling concerts. “These assassinations have been done with a lot of cruelty and this makes us tense,” one singer said. Police say some victims may not have direct gang ties; they simply “touch some nerve” with their songs.

[Images (6)]

[Videos (1)]

A fan hold up a picture of the band K-Paz de la Sierra during a mass honoring Sergio Gomez, leader of the band, at the Cathedral in Mexico City, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007. Gomez, who was tortured and strangled... (Associated Press)

Fans hold up a picture of the band K-Paz de la Sierra during a mass honoring Sergio Gomez, leader of the band, at the Cathedral in Mexico City, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007. Gomez, who was tortured and strangled... (Associated Press)

Band members stand next to the coffin containing the body of Sergio Gomez, the lead singer in the top-selling band K-Paz de la Sierra, during a funeral service at the National Cathedral in Mexico City,... (Associated Press)

Band members and relatives carry the coffin containing the body of Sergio Gomez, the lead singer in the top selling band K-Paz de la Sierra, at the National Cathedral in Mexico City, Wednesday Dec. 5,... (Associated Press)

The northern Mexican musical group K-Paz de la Sierra poses for a picture in Mexico City, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) (Associated Press)

Band members and relatives stand over the coffin containing the body of Sergio Gomez, the lead singer in the top selling band K-Paz de la Sierra, during a funeral service at the National Cathedral in... (Associated Press)

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Wave of Murders Cuts Down Mexican Musicians