Teresa María Padrón, once the manager and close friend of Cuban reggaeton artist El Taiger, shared an emotional video on Thursday that a fan sent her. This clip, featuring her with the late artist, was something she had never seen before.
The brief 33-second footage captures Teresa and the singer exiting what appears to be an airport, greeted by enthusiastic fans waiting outside. This shared moment, seen in a new light following the artist's untimely death, holds a special significance for her.
A fan named Milaida had preserved the video and decided to forward it to Teresa, who was visibly moved upon viewing it for the first time.
"Today, for the first time, I see this video. Wow, what a powerful feeling. Thank you, Milaida, for sharing it with me. Always José," Padrón expressed in her post, which included hashtags like #JusticeForJosé and #ElTaiger.
The video features one of El Taiger's own songs playing in the background, with particularly poignant lyrics: "There won't be a goodbye, nor a message, nor a call / You gave me your life, and in return, I gave you nothing."
El Taiger, born José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar, passed away on October 10, 2024, at Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital. He was 37 when he succumbed to injuries after being shot in the head days earlier.
Since his passing, Teresa Padrón has actively kept the singer's memory alive through various tributes and initiatives. Among her efforts, she has taken care of and updated the memorial dedicated to El Taiger in Miami, where fans continue to honor him.
Additionally, she organized the transport of his remains back to Cuba and, in August of this year, spearheaded the renovation of the artist's family chapel at Havana's Cristóbal Colón Cemetery, ensuring it was repainted and the roof repaired.
Meanwhile, the legal proceedings surrounding the reggaeton star's death remain ongoing. Damián Valdez Galloso, charged with first-degree murder and other related offenses, pled not guilty. The trial, originally scheduled for September 2026, has been postponed to February or March 2027, according to available information.
The next follow-up hearing is set for November 10, 2026.
Key Details about El Taiger's Death and Legacy
Who was El Taiger's manager and close friend?
Teresa María Padrón was El Taiger's manager and close friend.
How did Teresa Padrón contribute to El Taiger's memory?
Teresa Padrón has kept El Taiger's memory alive with various tributes, including maintaining his memorial in Miami and renovating his family chapel in Havana.
What are the legal proceedings surrounding El Taiger's death?
The legal proceedings involve Damián Valdez Galloso, who is charged with first-degree murder. The trial is postponed to early 2027, with the next hearing on November 10, 2026.