Diego Sebastián remanded in custody over Atizapán multiple homicide

A judge ordered Diego Sebastián "N" and Gerardo "N" held in pretrial detention over the multiple homicide in Atizapán de Zaragoza. Both will remain at the Juan Fernández Albarrán Center for Penitentiary and Social Reintegration, known as Barrientos prison.

At an initial hearing, prosecutors said the men face charges in the deaths of Jonathan Meléndez, keyboardist for the band Camilo Séptimo, his wife Ana Paula, their daughter Sofía and Aleyda, a domestic worker. They also face an allegation related to the interruption of Ana Paula's pregnancy, as she was four months pregnant when the killings occurred. Diego Sebastián is additionally accused of killing the family's dog.

The defense asked for an extension of the constitutional deadline to resolve the men's legal status. A prosecutor from the State of Mexico Attorney General's Office formally accused them of aggravated homicide, homicide against a woman and a minor, interruption of pregnancy and cruelty toward a sentient animal. The initial hearing, limited to the formal filing of charges, lasted more than eight hours. A judge ruled that the arrests were lawful.

The hearing will resume on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 9:30 a.m., allowing the defense to submit evidence in the case. Prosecutors said the two suspects allegedly acted as co-perpetrators. Investigators are also examining testimony from a relative of Jonathan, who said the musician had a USB drive containing cryptocurrency information reportedly worth about 3 million pesos. The device has not been found at the family's home in the Grand Viure development in Atizapán de Zaragoza.