Kidnapped Mexican singer found dead

Monterrey (Mexico), Feb 13 (IANS/EFE) A singer who was kidnapped in northern Mexico's largest city Monterrey was found dead even though his family paid ransom for his release, officials said.

Erick Garza Garza's family was contacted by the kidnappers who killed him.

The body of the 56-year-old Garza, who founded the band Bronco, was discovered Friday by the Nuevo Leon State Investigations Agency, or AEI.

The singer's body was found in the Villas del Poniente section of Garcia, a city in the Monterrey metropolitan area, and positive identification was made Saturday.

Garza was blindfolded with duct tape and shot once in the head, the AEI said Sunday.

The body of the singer was identified by relatives.

Garza left the successful band in 1986 due to health problems and went into the auto parts business in Monterrey, the capital of Nuevo Leon.

The singer was threatened by members of a criminal organization because he refused to pay protection money, relatives said.

The former Bronco member was abducted a week ago as he was leaving his business in the northern part of Monterrey, which has been plagued by drug-related violence in recent years.

The violence has surged in recent weeks despite the presence in the city of federal security forces.

--IANS/EFE

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