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The Miami-Dade Prosecutor's Office has declassified a substantial and disturbing collection of evidence related to the murder of Cuban reggaeton artist José Manuel Carvajal Zaldívar, known artistically as El Taiger.
More than 1,200 photographs, court documents, and forensic records have been introduced as evidence by the Prosecutor's Office of the county against Damian Valdez Galloso, the sole defendant in the crime, who faces first-degree murder charges.
The images starkly reveal new details of the crime scene, the interior of the residence where the murder allegedly took place, and the vehicle in which the artist was transported in critical condition.
The House of Hialeah: Blood, Chlorine, and Disconnected Cameras
Most of the evidence was collected inside Valdez Galloso's house in Hialeah, where, according to the investigation, the crime took place in the early morning of October 3, 2024.
The photographs depict an apparently normal home, but with clear signs of a scene that has been disturbed and hurriedly cleaned.
In one corner, stained towels, a half-empty bottle of bleach, and a bucket with murky water can be seen, all arranged next to clothing inside a washing machine.
Moreover, empty industrial chlorine bottles and discarded cleaning buckets were found in the trash, which reinforces the hypothesis of a deliberate attempt to clean the scene.
As part of the evidence presented, there are purchase receipts for cleaning products from a Walgreens store, where the accused is alleged to have acquired the supplies used to erase traces of the crime.
Among the most incriminating evidence are security devices, including a Ring camera, that were disconnected after the incident.
One of the security cameras, located at the entrance of the home, was found lying on the ground, presumably torn off intentionally to prevent the recording of the incident.
The vehicle: Blood in the trunk, knives, and jewels
One of the most striking discoveries occurred inside the black Mercedes Benz GLC 300 with Florida license plate JJWG55, the vehicle where the artist was found at 8:00 a.m. on October 3rd.
The car was parked on NW 17th Ave, with the trunk open and one of the rear doors ajar. There, police officers found El Taiger struggling for life, with a gunshot wound to the forehead and severe head injuries.
The trunk showed signs of blood stains, and inside it were canisters of fuel, jewelry, a knife, and a sheathed dagger.
Bottles of drinks, personal clothing, and food remnants were also found, indicating that the car was used not only for transportation but possibly to attempt to destroy evidence during the transfer to the hospital.
A CSI specialist, identified as H. Davis, meticulously documented the scene on video, while agents conducted DNA tests on various surfaces of the car: door handles, steering wheel, seat belts, and the glove compartment, where another knife was found.
According to the report by journalist Univision, Mario Vallejo, "the forensic experts collected DNA samples from inside the car, on the steering wheel, the seats, and the trunk, where the artist’s body lay. They also seized traces of fentanyl, a black tube, and other objects that could be related to the events."
In addition, a drink container was recovered from inside the vehicle from which, according to the prosecution, DNA was extracted from either the victim or the perpetrator.
A registered gun and legal uncertainty
As part of the investigation, the police also seized a registered firearm belonging to El Taiger, found in the home of his representative. Despite its potential relevance, authorities clarified that this pistol is not directly linked to the crime.
Nonetheless, among the key elements highlighted by the prosecutors is another firearm seized as part of the investigation, as well as the magazine of the weapon, which could be related to the events.
The motel: Drugs, jewels, and bloodstains
In parallel, the investigators searched the motel room where El Taiger lived.
Several of those photographs—part of the package presented by the Prosecutor's Office—show in detail the conditions inside that motel room in Hialeah, where the artist used to stay occasionally.
The images reveal a disorganized and chaotic space: bloodstained napkins, bags containing what the police believe is fentanyl, garments and dirty clothes, as well as cigarette butts scattered around the room.
Jewelry and fast food remnants are also found on the surfaces.
All of this, according to the police report, was documented as supplementary evidence in the investigation.
In response to the journalist's question from Telemundo, Alexis Boentes, the musician's former manager and friend, Teresa Padrón, stated that El Taiger did not live in the motel, although he did visit frequently.
"There were indeed days when he went missing, and I imagine he might have been there. I went to the motel one day to look for him, but I never entered the room," she added, denying any knowledge of the conditions in which the place was.
Teresa was surprised by the cigarette butts because she said she had never seen El Taiger smoke.
"That makes me think that there were other people who visited him in that motel room," he said.
The moment of the crime: A dispute, a gunshot, and an escape
A surveillance video captured by nearby cameras shows El Taiger arriving at Valdez Galloso's house in the early hours of the crime.
The court record indicates that both engaged in a heated argument, and it was then that, allegedly, the accused fired at him.
Valdez Galloso, in a subsequent interrogation in New York, stated that El Taiger arrived accompanied by another person to ask him for money, and that when he returned after a few minutes, he found him injured on the ground. However, this account has not convinced the Prosecutor's Office.
The now accused called 911 from the vicinity of Jackson Memorial Hospital, claiming that there was an unconscious person inside his vehicle. That person was El Taiger. The police arrived shortly after and found the artist still alive, although in critical condition.
According to forensic reports, the bullet that struck him in the forehead caused severe traumatic brain injury.
The artist was hospitalized for several days until his death was finally confirmed on October 10, 2024.
The trial against Damian Valdez Galloso is scheduled to begin on December 8, 2025, although it may change following the hearing set for October 8. The defendant maintains his innocence.
If found guilty, Damian Valdez Galloso could face life imprisonment. Meanwhile, the artist's family and his supporters hope that, following the new and compelling evidence, justice will finally be served.
Frequently asked questions about the case of El Taiger's death
What evidence has been presented in the case of El Taiger?
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office has presented more than 1,200 photographs, court documents, and forensic records as part of the evidence against Damian Valdez Galloso, accused of the murder of Cuban reggaeton artist El Taiger. Among the most incriminating evidence are photographs from the crime scene, disconnected security devices, and DNA found in the vehicle where El Taiger was discovered in critical condition.
What does Damian Valdez's defense maintain about the crime?
The defense of Damian Valdez Galloso asserts that he is innocent and that he did not shoot El Taiger. Valdez claims that El Taiger arrived at his home accompanied by other individuals and that, upon returning from fetching water, he found him injured on the doorstep. Furthermore, he has alleged that the security camera footage showing the crime has been tampered with.
What did the leaked interrogation of Damian Valdez reveal?
The leaked video of Damian Valdez's interrogation shows the accused denying his involvement in the murder of El Taiger and suggesting that a police officer could be involved in the crime. Valdez argued that El Taiger arrived at his home with a man he identified as a police officer, who does not appear in the surveillance footage.
When will the trial against Damian Valdez begin?
The trial against Damian Valdez Galloso, accused of the murder of El Taiger, is scheduled to begin on September 15, 2025. The trial has been subject to several delays due to defense claims regarding inconsistencies in the case file.
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