Reggaeton star El Taiger died at the age of 37, one week after he was reportedly found shot in the head in a vehicle in Miami.
His family confirmed his death in a message shared Friday on the star’s Instagram Story. The family’s statement said Taiger, whose birth name was José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar, died Friday afternoon in spite of doctors’ best efforts to save him.
They thanked fans for their ongoing prayers and said, “El Taiger was pronounced dead and is now reunited with his beloved mother in heaven.”
The Miami Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances leading up to the singer’s death.
CORAL GABLES, FL – JULY 06: El Taiger attends the Univision’s “Premios Juventud” 2017 Celebrates The Hottest Musical Artists And Young Latinos Change-Makers at Watsco Center on July 6, 2017 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Univision)
El Taiger’s family asked his loyal fans to keep his memory alive through his biggest passion — his music.
“While this news is both shocking and heartbreaking, we encourage fans of El Taiger to honor his memory by celebrating the joy he brought to so many. Turn up the music, dance and celebrate his life,” they wrote in their statement.
Police officers were called to the scene in Miami, Florida, at around 7 a.m. on Oct.3 and found the famous musician in a black Mercedes SUV suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, according to Metro. First responders rushed him to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. Doctors immediately performed emergency and then placed him on life support,
Miami Police Chief Manuel A. Morales issued a statement at the time, saying El Taiger was in “very” critical condition after surgery, according to TMZ.
CORAL GABLES, FL – FEBRUARY 11: El Taiger performs live on stage at Watsco Center on February 11, 2022 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Johnny Louis/Getty Images)
Law enforcement officials suspect he was shot at another location, and then driven to a neighborhood near the hospital. Police reported that the star was found with two red gas cans in the trunk of his car, according to TMZ.
El Taiger pled guilty in two different cases in the Summer of 2024, one regarding strong arm robbery and battery and the other a misdemeanor for resisting an officer.
The singer-songwriter released his last single, “Bonita,” in May. He was a beloved figure in the reggaeton scene and best known for his unique “Cubaton” style. In 2016, he released his debut album, which immediately catapulted him to fame in the Latin music industry. His single “La Habana” was featured on the soundtrack of the blockbuster film, “The Fate of the Furious,” according to Metro. (RELATED: Famous 90s Rapper Dies ‘Unexpectedly’ At 57)
El Taiger’s death has left the music industry reeling. Fans, loved ones and fellow artists are uniting to pay tribute to his memory and the legacy he left behind.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
