Disappearance and Death
On September 16, Colombian artists Bayron Sánchez Salazar, known as B-King, and Jorge Luis Herrera Lemos, alias Regio Clown, vanished after leaving a SmartFit gym in Polanco, Mexico City. They had arrived in the country on September 11 to participate in the “Sin Censura. Independence Day” event, where they planned to have lunch with Regio Clown’s acquaintances after working out. That evening, they had a work meeting at a hotel. Their last known communication was with their team, after which they lost contact.
The following day, on September 17, their dismembered bodies were found in Cocotitlán, State of Mexico, along with a narco message implicating the Familia Michoacana criminal organization. The formal identification of the bodies occurred on September 22 when their families confirmed their identities. The investigation continues to uncover new details.
Current Findings
Mexican authorities have dismissed the initial kidnapping theory, stating that the artists voluntarily traveled to the State of Mexico after leaving Polanco, according to Mexico City’s fiscal, Bertha María Alcalde.
A significant development is the discovery of a gray Mercedes Benz within a Texcoco, State of Mexico property following raids by the local and capital Fiscalía General de Justicia. This vehicle might have been used to transport the musicians. Additionally, other vehicles were seized for examination, including a truck and a motorcycle.
Simultaneously, WhatsApp conversations of Regio Clown surfaced, mentioning a meeting with an individual known as “El Comandante” or Cristofer and another person called “Mariano” to discuss a “business.” The chat indicated that, despite distrust, the meeting was deemed necessary.
Venezuelan actress Angélica Yetsei Torrini León, known as Angie Miller, was arrested on September 23 in Edomex (one day after the bodies were found) for her alleged involvement in the double homicide. She was summoned for questioning but was arrested instead.
Rumors suggest that she had a romantic relationship with B-King, which might be relevant to the investigation. However, she was released on September 26. Possible responsibilities of criminal groups like Familia Michoacana and La Unión Tepito have also been pointed out. Initial reports suggest their direct or indirect involvement in the musicians’ disappearance and death.
One report claims that the artists met with members of these cells on September 16 and were subsequently transported to the State of Mexico, where the crimes occurred and their bodies were abandoned. Authorities have stated that the bodies bore signs of violence and are gathering evidence on the artists’ route from Polanco to their bodies, as well as reviewing CCTV footage, chats, and messages to reconstruct their last hours.
Reactions
The murders have dominated Colombian and Mexican media. B-King’s representative, Juan Camilo Gallego, was interviewed on Colombian radio WRadio, declining to comment about Torrini and stating he was hiding due to fear for his life. He revealed that he wouldn’t return to Colombia and had sought asylum in various countries. He was the one who reported the musicians’ disappearance and dismissed media versions linking the crime to a drug cartel.
Diplomatically, Colombian President Gustavo Petro publicly expressed his distress and blamed international drug trafficking for the incidents. Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum mentioned in her morning press conference that investigations are ongoing. She also stated that this tragedy wouldn’t sever relations with Colombia, while both governments exchange official information to identify the perpetrators.
