There’s a new development in the case of slain Mexican singer Chuy Montana. Shortly after his murder, Montana’s friend and chauffeur was reportedly found dead with a message from a Mexican cartel.

Montana was most known for signing with Street Mob Records, the label of Fuerza Regida’s lead singer Jesús Ortiz Paz. In March 2023, Ortiz Paz signed Montana on the spot after seeing him sing at the border crossing from Tijuana to San Diego, CA. Nearly a year later, on Feb. 7, Montana was found murdered near the Playas de Rosarito-Tijuana highway. After being kidnapped, he reportedly jumped out of the assailants’ car with handcuffs on. He was shot multiple times and killed at the scene.

Montana’s body was found on the roadside with an orange Renault Stepway car. Reports this week surfaced that the owner of the car, who was also Montana’s driver, was also found dead. Miguel Pavón was Montana’s friend. His murder could provide more insight into the people behind both their deaths. 

On the morning of Feb. 8, Pavón’s body was found on Durango Street in the Chamizal neighborhood of Tijuana. His hands and feet were reportedly tied behind his back with rope and wire. There were marks on his neck that were consistent with strangulation. Local authorities reportedly believe that Pavón was kidnapped at the same time as Montana. 

The driver and Montana’s deaths appear to be related to the Mexican cartel. Next to Pavón’s body was the lid of a styrofoam cooler. According to the Baja California police department, the lid was signed in black marker with the letters “CAF.” They believe those letters are an abbreviation of the Arellano-Félix Cartel. 

The investigations of Montana and Pavón’s murders are still ongoing. Last year, a Mexican cartel allegedly threatened Peso Pluma and Fuerza Regida from performing concerts in Tijuana. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) was reportedly behind the threats, which led to both acts canceling those concerts.