An assault on a highway in Chihuahua, Mexico claimed the lives of country music artist Kevin Amalio Hernandez, 34, his wife Marisela Sandoval, 34, and his stepson and stepdaughter. The family was ambushed on Sunday, May 5, their vehicles besieged by a torrent of bullets.
Hernandez and Sandoval were found dead in the aftermath of the attack, in which over 150 bullets riddled their pickup truck. Hernandez was discovered in a Chevrolet Malibu truck, severely damaged by the gunfire. Sandoval’s body was found near the passenger door of a 1979 Ford truck.
Sandoval’s two teenagers, aged 17 and 14, succumbed to their injuries in the hospital the following day. The couple’s four-year-old child and the children’s maternal grandmother were also injured in the attack and hospitalized.
The attack took place as the family’s pickup trucks were driving in a convoy through the region, abruptly becoming the targets of an ambush.
The incident occurred amidst related violent activities, including a shooting at the home of Sandoval’s parents and a thwarted attempt to breach the hospital treating the injured family members.
In a chilling coincidence, Hernandez’s latest song, “If God Takes Me with Him,” was released after his death. The lyrics of the song eerily reflect the circumstances of the incident, stating: “If God takes me with him you should not feel afraid, I will be protecting you, I will follow your steps because this love is eternal.”
Hernandez, originally from El Paso, Texas, was renowned for his work with the Tejano (Tex-Mex style) country band H Nortena. He had been touring Chihuahua, giving live performances that endeared him to many fans.
Expressions of grief and remembrance flooded in from the Mexican music community, marking a collective period of mourning. Band member, Luis Fernando Peinado, reflected on the fragility of life and the impact of Hernandez’s last recording. In a statement, he said: “Tomorrow this song will sound loud to the sky, the latest recording comes out tomorrow, life is fragile.”
Authorities continue to investigate the brutal attack, which has been attributed to the Sinaloa Cartel. The two younger children who were critically injured are reportedly recovering.
The investigation has identified at least two suspects involved in the attack, and the authorities believe the motive may be linked to Marisela Sandoval’s family business, the Maturana Equestrian Center, which has had previous run-ins with cartel activity.
Chihuahua Southern District State Attorney General Juan Portillo spoke to the media after the slayings, with an update on potential suspects. “We have more or less identified what the people (who murdered the singer and his family) do and the cartel they could belong to,” Portillo said. “As a result of the investigations, we can assure that at least two people were involved in these events.”
