Mexico quadruple homicide linked to alleged Bitcoin robbery attempt

Mexican authorities have charged two men with the murder of four people in Atizapán de Zaragoza, alleging the killings were motivated by a desire to obtain a cold Bitcoin wallet thought to contain millions of dollars.

Suspects and legal proceedings

Diego Sebastián and Gerardo (last names not released) were arrested, according to the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Mexico (FGJEM). A judge will decide on Wednesday whether there is sufficient evidence to keep the criminal case active.

Victims

The victims include Jonathan Meléndez, a keyboardist for the rock band Camilo Séptimo, his pregnant wife, their daughter, and a household employee. Their golden retriever was also killed.

Alleged motive

Prosecutors say the suspects believed the family possessed a cold wallet holding a large Bitcoin balance. One suspect reportedly used a business relationship with the victims to gain entry to the home.

Potential penalties

If convicted, each suspect could face between 25 and 70 years in prison per homicide victim.

Context of crypto‑related violence

The case occurs amid a rise in “wrench attacks,” where criminals use violence or threats to force victims to surrender cryptocurrency or wallet access. Blockchain security firm CertiK reported 52 such incidents worldwide in the first half of 2026, a 33.3% increase from the same period in 2025. Chainalysis estimates that over $30 million in crypto was stolen in these attacks during that timeframe.