How did Dr. Velásquez die? Butler named as main suspect as Colombian singer and girlfriend Sofia Valdez found dead in artist's home

Dr. Velásquez's butler, Julián Alberto Quintero Agudelo, has been reportedly named as the main suspect in the murders of the Colombian musician and his girlfriend, Sofia Valdez. On June 8, 2024, the couple were shot to death in the artist's home in Envigado, outside of Medellín, Colombia.

JMW Music, the musician's record label, confirmed the news with a statement via social media.

“With deep pain, we inform you of the death of Dr. Velásquez, renowned singer, composer, manager, businessman, and paisa [Medellín native] dreamer. Dr. Velásquez was a pioneer in the Medellín music scene, being the founder of the largest and first reggaeton hubs in our city. His legacy and passion for music left an indelible mark on the industry and in the hearts of those who knew him,” the statement read.

The statement also clarified that an investigation into the murder is ongoing, but "judicial authorities have ruled out suicide among the hypotheses."

Police are now looking to obtain a warrant for Agudelo's arrest regarding the double homicide. The alleged perpetrator is currently free, albeit under police surveillance.

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Dr. Velásquez's butler reportedly confessed to killing the musician and his girlfriend

In the early hours of Saturday, June 8, the bodies of Dr. Velásquez, aged 40, and Sofia Riascos Valdez, aged 23, were found in the former's home in the Acuarela parcel in the Las Palmas sector in the municipality of Envigado.

According to El Colombiano, both Dr. Velásquez and Valdez were found in two separate rooms and shot dead. Police questioned the butler, Julián Alberto Quintero Agudelo, who was reportedly intoxicated when he gave his statement.

In the police's initial report, Agudelo claimed that he had been chatting and drinking with the couple the night before the double homicide. He added that Valdez retired to her bedroom to sleep, following which he and Velásquez continued their conversation. Agudelo was not only the record producer's butler but also his ex-wife's uncle.

In his statement, the butler continued that he left the house early in the morning to buy more alcohol and, on his return, found Dr. Velásquez and Valdez fatally shot in the head. However, in a later statement he gave to the police, he reportedly confessed to shooting them, handing a traumatic pistol to the authorities.

When the police took him to the Immediate Reaction Unit of the Prosecutor's Office so he could deliver his testimony under oath, Agudelo refused to speak. The police couldn't arrest him as an alleged extrajudicial confession of a person under the influence does not provide sufficient evidence to present in front of a judge.

Agudelo is currently free but under police surveillance while authorities investigate the incident and gather evidence to issue an arrest warrant. A spokesperson for the police said:

"On holiday long weekends, when there are fewer personnel available in Forensic Medicine and judicial offices, it is more complicated to carry out these procedures.”

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Dr. Velásquez, born Daniel Alejandro Velásquez Franco, broke into the music scene in 2014, enjoying a singing career for four years till 2018. According to Billboard, he is also responsible for launching several new Colombian artists including Reykon, Maluma, and J Balvin.

In 2019, he signed singer Blessd to JMW Music and accompanied the artist to the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Week. Blessd was one of the many artists who paid tribute to Velásquez after his death.