Remains of kidnapped Mexican band members and manager discovered close to Texas border
Five individuals, including four musicians and their manager, were found dead following their abduction in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The victims, members of the norteno band Grupo Fugitivo, had been scheduled to perform at a private event.
The Tamaulipas Attorney General, Irving Barrios, confirmed the victims' identities as Francisco Vázquez, 20; Victor Garza, 21; José Morales, 23; Nemesio Durañ, 40; and Livan Solís, 27, the group's manager and photographer. Their bodies were discovered on the outskirts of Reynosa in northern Tamaulipas.
According to local reports, the musicians and their manager were kidnapped around 10 p.m. as they traveled in an SUV en route to the venue. No contact was made with their families after the abduction.
Nine suspected members of Los Metros, a faction of the Gulf Cartel active in Reynosa, were arrested by authorities. Two vehicles and two firearms were seized. However, the exact reasons for the killings remain unclear, and local media reports suggest the bodies may have been burned.
The norteno musicians had performed at various events and local dances in the region. As the group gained popularity in recent years, they entered a renaissance in international music. However, young artists in this genre sometimes pay homage to drug cartel leaders, sometimes portraying them as Robin Hood-type figures.
While the motives for targeting Grupo Fugitivo specifically are still unclear, other artists have faced threats or violence. Several have had their visas revoked by the United States under accusations of glorifying criminal violence.
The disappearance of the musicians sparked public outrage in Tamaulipas, a state long affected by cartel violence. Families called for public support, and protests ensued. Protesters blocked the international bridge connecting Reynosa and Pharr, Texas, and later held vigils at a local cathedral.
Reynosa, a border city adjacent to Texas, has experienced increased violence since 2017 due to disputes among criminal organizations over drug trafficking, human smuggling, and fuel theft. This incident follows a similar one in 2018, when two members of the musical group 'Los Nortenos de Río Bravo' were kidnapped and later found later found on the federal highway connecting Reynosa to Río Bravo, Tamaulipas.
The last contact the families had with the musicians was on the night of their kidnapping, when they reported they were on their way to the event. No further communication was heard from them. The missing SUV was located on Tuesday but showed no signs of violence. As of now, lead singer Carlos González has not commented on the incident.
- The Tamaulipas Attorney General, Irving Barrios, revealed that the murdered individuals were Francisco Vázquez, a photographer, and members of Grupo Fugitivo - Victor Garza, Jose Morales, Nemesio Durañ, and their manager, Livan Solís.
- Local news reports indicate that the kidnapping and subsequent murder of the norteno musicians and their manager may have been linked to their music, as young artists in their genre sometimes pay tribute to drug cartel leaders.
- As the general public in Tamaulipas reacted with outrage to the news of the musicians' deaths, protests erupted, with protesters blocking the international bridge connecting Reynosa and Pharr, Texas, and holding vigils at a local cathedral, demanding justice.
