Reggaeton star El Taiger—born José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar—has died, according to a statement posted on his Instagram story. The artist passed away Thursday afternoon, a week after being found with a gunshot wound to the head in Miami.
The statement, written in Spanish, expressed the family’s gratitude for the prayers and support from fans, as well as the efforts of the medical team at Jackson Memorial Hospital. “El Taiger is now reunited with his mother in heaven,” the post reads, thanking the hospital staff for doing everything possible to save him.
El Taiger was discovered in the back of a black Mercedes-Benz near Jackson Memorial Hospital on October 3, 2024. Authorities suspect he was shot elsewhere before being driven to the area. Inside the car, police found two red gas cans in the trunk. He was immediately rushed to the hospital in critical condition and remained in intensive care until his death.
Miami Police Chief Manuel A. Morales had described El Taiger’s condition as “very” critical following surgery. The Miami Police Department has confirmed they are treating the case as a homicide, and they have released a wanted poster for their suspect, Damian Valdez-Galloso.
El Taiger had faced legal trouble over the summer, with two ongoing criminal cases—one for strong-arm robbery and battery, and another for misdemeanor resisting an officer, both of which he had pleaded not guilty to.
Despite his legal issues, El Taiger continued to release music, with his latest single, “Bonita,” dropping in May. His death has shocked fans, many of whom have set up a memorial near the hospital where he was found.
The family’s statement also encouraged fans to celebrate his life through his music: “Although this news is both shocking and heartbreaking, 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. The Taiger was the feeling of the people, and now we must keep that feeling alive through their music and their legacy.”
The investigation into El Taiger’s death remains ongoing, and police are urging the suspect to turn himself in for questioning.