Valentin Elizalde was a popular Mexican singer who specialized in the regional genre of norteño music. He was nicknamed “El Gallo de Oro” (The Golden Rooster) for his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. He had many hits, such as “Vete Ya”, “Ebrio de Amor”, “Vete Con Él”, and “Soy Así”. He also sang some narcocorridos, which are songs that narrate the stories of drug lords and their exploits.
However, his musical career was cut short on November 25, 2006, when he was brutally murdered after a concert in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. He was only 27 years old. What was the cause of his death? Who killed him and why? In this article, we will explore the mystery behind the assassination of Valentin Elizalde and the possible motives behind it.
The Last Concert
On the night of his death, Elizalde performed at the Palenque de la Expo-Feria in Reynosa, a city that borders Texas and is known for being a hotspot of drug trafficking and violence. According to Wikipedia, he sang for about an hour and a half, and among his songs, he included “A Mis Enemigos” (To My Enemies), a controversial corrido that some people interpreted as a message from Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, to his rivals from the Gulf Cartel and their armed wing, Los Zetas.
According to Reddit, Elizalde’s cousin, Fausto “Tano” Elizalde, who was also his manager and backup singer, had warned him not to sing that song, because there were members of Los Zetas in the audience. However, Elizalde ignored his advice and sang it twice, once at the beginning and once at the end of his show. Some witnesses claimed that he even dedicated it to his enemies.
The Ambush
After the concert, Elizalde left with his cousin, his driver, and his assistant in a Chevrolet Suburban with license plate JEX-76-30. As they were driving on the Reynosa-Monterrey highway, they were ambushed by two cars that opened fire on them with AK-47 rifles and AR-15 carbines. According to Rational Insurgent, there were 20 rounds of firing spotted on Elizalde’s car.
Elizalde’s autopsy report revealed that he was shot at least eight times, with the fatal shots hitting his head and chest. His driver and assistant also died from multiple gunshot wounds. His cousin was the only survivor, although he was seriously injured. He later claimed that he had shielded Elizalde with his body and tried to revive him, but it was too late.
The Motive
The murder of Elizalde shocked the Mexican public and sparked many speculations about the motive behind it. Some of the possible theories are:
- It was a revenge attack by Los Zetas for singing “A Mis Enemigos” and provoking them in their territory.
- It was a betrayal by his cousin, who had ties with Los Zetas and wanted to take over his fame and fortune.
- It was a result of a love triangle involving Elizalde’s widow, Gabriela Sabag, who had allegedly cheated on him with his cousin and later married him.
- It was a random act of violence by criminals who wanted to rob or kidnap him.
None of these theories have been confirmed or denied by the authorities, who have not made any arrests or convictions related to the case. However, in 2008, a man named Raul Hernandez Barron, who was identified as a member of Los Zetas and the alleged triggerman of Elizalde’s murder, was captured by the police in Coatzintla, Veracruz. According to Gokeyless, he confessed to participating in the attack but did not reveal who ordered it or why.
The Legacy
Despite his tragic death, Valentin Elizalde’s legacy lives on through his music and his fans. He has been honored with several posthumous awards and tributes, such as a Grammy nomination in 2007 and a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars in 2008. His songs have been covered by many artists, such as Vicente Fernandez, Banda el Recodo, Los Tigres del Norte, and Gerardo Ortiz. His life story has also been adapted into a TV series called “El Vato” in 2016.
Valentin Elizalde was one of the most influential singers of norteño music and a symbol of Mexican culture. His cause of death remains a mystery, but his voice and his spirit will never be silenced.
