Singer El Taiger Dead at 37 One Week After Being Found With Gunshot Wound to the Head
El Taiger’s story has ended in tragedy.
One week after the Cuban Reggaeton singer—whose real name was José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar—was brought to the hospital after being found with a gunshot wound to his head, his loved ones shared he’s died of his injuries. He was 37.
“Sadly, this afternoon, El Taiger was pronounced dead and has now been reunited with his beloved mother in heaven,” read a statement, posted in Spanish, to the singer’s Instagram account Oct. 10. “His family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the medical team at Jackson Memorial Hospital for their tireless efforts, as well as the millions who offered prayers and tributes during his hospitalization.”
The statement added that, while navigating the “incredibly difficult” days since El Taiger was brought to the hospital, his loved ones were encouraged by the worldwide support.
“Although this news is both shocking and heartbreaking,” the statement continued, “we encourage El Taiger fans to honor his memory by celebrating the joy he brought to so many. Turn up your music, dance and celebrate your life.”
And in addition to asking for privacy and confirming details about a memorial service would be forthcoming, the statement concluded, “El Taiger was the feeling of the people, and now we must keep that feeling alive through his music and his legacy.”
E! News has reached out to El Taiger’s rep for comment but has not yet heard back.
The heartbreaking update comes one week after the musician was found in the back of an SUV near Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he was immediately brought to undergo treatment on Oct. 3.
The following day, a rep for El Taiger told E! News, “As of now, he is in a critical state. He has undergone surgery, and the medical team has placed him in an induced coma to facilitate the healing process of his brain and reduce inflammation."
At the time, Miami Police Spokesperson Mike Vega told Telemundo 51 that law enforcement did not believe the crime took place in the city, adding, “We are certain it did not happen on that corner where the car was found. This happened somewhere else, someone drove it there, left it and left on foot.”
Authorities also, per Telemundo 51, found two gallons of gasoline in the SUV’s trunk. At that time, the outlet reported, citing authorities, that police were still investigating the motive of the shooting and had interviewed a person of interest.
El Taiger’s lawyer Greg Chonillo told the outlet that “there is some evidence that may suggest that there was another person who was with him."
But while authorities continue to investigate the shooting, El Taiger’s friends and colleagues are grappling with his passing.
“In this genre,” wrote musician Jacob Forever on his Oct. 10 Instagram Story, “I get along with majority of my colleagues, but everyone knows that among the true few friends was José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar.”
He continued, “Rest in peace and may God have you in glory brother. Souls do not die, Fly very high and I hope you reunite with your parents once again and are happy in heaven.”
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