The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office has disclosed a substantial and unsettling collection of evidence concerning the murder of Cuban reggaeton artist José Manuel Carvajal Zaldívar, known as El Taiger. Over 1,200 photographs, court documents, and forensic records have been presented as evidence against Damian Valdez Galloso, the sole suspect charged with first-degree murder.
The images starkly illustrate previously unseen details of the crime scene, the interior of the house where the murder allegedly took place, and the vehicle used to transport the critically injured artist.
The House in Hialeah: A Scene of Hastily Erased Evidence
Most evidence was gathered inside Valdez Galloso's residence in Hialeah, where the crime reportedly occurred in the early hours of October 3, 2024. Photographs depict a seemingly ordinary home, yet with clear indicators of a quickly altered and cleaned scene.
In one corner, stained towels, a half-empty bleach bottle, and a mop bucket with murky water are found alongside clothing in a washing machine. Additionally, empty industrial bleach bottles and discarded cleaning buckets were discovered in the trash, supporting the theory of an intentional attempt to clean the scene.
Among the critical evidence are receipts from a Walgreens store, where the accused allegedly purchased cleaning supplies to erase traces of the crime. Security devices, including a Ring camera, were found disconnected after the incident. A surveillance camera at the entrance of the home was discovered on the ground, seemingly torn out to prevent recording.
The Vehicle: A Bloody Trunk and Suspicious Items
A shocking discovery was made inside a black Mercedes Benz GLC 300 with Florida license plate JJWG55, where the artist was found at 8:00 a.m. on October 3. The vehicle was parked on NW 17th Ave, with the trunk open and a rear door ajar. Police found El Taiger inside, suffering from a gunshot wound to the forehead and severe cranial injuries.
Blood stains were present in the trunk, which also contained gallons of fuel, jewelry, a folding knife, and a sheathed knife. Bottles of beverages, personal clothing, and food remnants were also found, suggesting the car was used not only for transport but perhaps to obscure evidence during the drive to the hospital.
CSI specialist 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 discovered. According to Univision journalist Mario Vallejo, forensic experts collected DNA samples from inside the car, including the steering wheel, seats, and the trunk where the artist's body lay. They also seized fentanyl residues, a black tube, and other objects potentially linked to the events.
A beverage bottle retrieved from the vehicle contained DNA from either the victim or the perpetrator, as per the prosecution's findings.
A Registered Gun and Legal Uncertainty
Among the evidence, police also seized a firearm registered to El Taiger, located at his representative's home. Despite its potential relevance, authorities clarified that this weapon is not directly linked to the crime. However, another gun confiscated during the investigation, along with its magazine, is highlighted by prosecutors as possibly connected to the incident.
The Motel: Drugs, Jewelry, and Blood Stains
Meanwhile, investigators examined the motel room where El Taiger occasionally stayed. Several photographs, part of the evidence submitted by the State Attorney's Office, detail the conditions within the motel room in Hialeah.
Images reveal a cluttered and chaotic space: blood-stained napkins, bags of what police believe to be fentanyl, dirty clothing, and scattered cigarette butts. Jewelry and fast-food remnants are also visible on surfaces. All this was documented as supplementary evidence in the investigation.
In response to Telemundo journalist Alexis Boentes, the musician's former manager and friend, Teresa Padrón, stated that El Taiger did not live at the motel, although he frequented it. "Yes, there were days he would disappear, and I imagine he might have been there. I went to the motel once to look for him, but I never entered the room," she added, denying knowledge of the room's condition.
Teresa expressed surprise at the cigarette butts, noting she never saw El Taiger smoke. "That makes me think others visited him in that motel room," she said.
The Crime: An Argument, a Gunshot, and a Desperate Escape
A nearby surveillance video captured El Taiger arriving at Valdez Galloso's house on the night of the crime. The judicial record indicates that the two engaged in a heated argument, during which the accused allegedly shot him.
In a subsequent interrogation in New York, Valdez Galloso claimed El Taiger arrived with another individual to ask for money, and upon stepping away briefly, he found him injured on the floor. However, the prosecution remains unconvinced by this account.
The accused called 911 from near the Jackson Memorial Hospital, reporting an unconscious person in his vehicle, who turned out to be El Taiger. Police arrived shortly after, finding the artist alive but critically injured. Forensic reports confirm that the bullet wound to his forehead caused severe traumatic brain injury. El Taiger remained hospitalized for several days until his death was confirmed on October 10, 2024.
The trial against Damian Valdez Galloso is set to begin on December 8, 2025, although this may change following a hearing scheduled for October 8. The accused maintains his innocence. If convicted, Damian Valdez Galloso could face life imprisonment. Meanwhile, the artist's family and fans hope for justice in light of the new and overwhelming evidence.
Key Questions and Answers About El Taiger's Case
What evidence has been revealed in El Taiger's murder case?
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office has disclosed over 1,200 photographs, court documents, and forensic records, including disturbing details of the crime scene, the suspect's home, and the vehicle used to transport El Taiger.
Who is the main suspect in El Taiger's murder?
Damian Valdez Galloso is the sole suspect, facing charges of first-degree murder in connection with the death of El Taiger.
What items were found in the vehicle where El Taiger was discovered?
The vehicle contained blood stains, fuel gallons, jewelry, a folding knife, a sheathed knife, beverage bottles, personal clothing, and food remnants, indicating it might have been used to obscure evidence.