Thalia Castillo has been fatally shot on her tour bus and her body was dumped into a ditch.
Alezka Thalia Manrique, better known as Thalia Castillo, had just wrapped up a performance with her band, Hermanos Guerreros, when six armed assailants attacked their vehicle early Sunday morning.
The incident occurred around 5:00AM in Bagua Grande, Peru, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Manrique’s bandmate, Ingrid Vallejo, recounted the terrifying moments to authorities, revealing that the gunmen forced the bus driver out before assaulting the remaining passengers.
Amid the chaos, Manrique reportedly attempted to hide in the bus’s bathroom but was struck by gunfire in her leg and back.
Vallejo described her friend’s last moments, saying: “My partner wanted to go into the bus bathroom in her instinct to protect herself, and the moment she was there, the shot went off.”
Following the attack, the gunmen pulled Manrique from the bus and abandoned her body in a nearby ditch, warning the other band members to stay down, per the New York Post.
The attackers then looted the bus, stealing musical instruments and cash the band had earned from the performance.
Band members attempted to rush Manrique to the hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries en route.
Manrique’s brother, Jair Enrique, later told RPP radio that police have identified the suspects and are now awaiting an arrest warrant to apprehend them. The motive for the attack remains under investigation.
Manrique, who joined Hermanos Guerreros just two months ago, was not only a talented singer but also a dedicated student, set to graduate with a degree in business administration later this month.
Reflecting on her memory, Vallejo shared: “Thalia was a person full of joy, always with a smile. Her talent and dedication to music made her special.”
In a heartfelt tribute, Hermanos Guerreros issued a statement: “Your face, your smile, and your voice will always remain in our memory.”
Tributes have flooded in under Facebook posts by the band, with one person writing: “My deepest condolences to the family of the beautiful singer Talia.”
A second person said: “My heartfelt condolences to the Castillo family and the Hnos Guerrero group.”
A third person added: “My deepest condolences to the Manrique Castillo family for the irreparable loss of Thalia and the Guerreros
Our thoughts are with Manrique’s family at this difficult time.
