A popular YouTube personality was murdered in her restaurant by suspected cartel hitmen after receiving numerous death threats over the past few years, according to a claim by the state attorney general that was disputed by the victim’s husband.
The 36-year-old victim, identified as Leslie Ann Pamela Montenegro del Real, aka “La Nana Pelucas,” was executed in her Acapulco restaurant.
According to state public security spokesman Roberto Álvarez, police received a report on Sunday at approximately 7:05 pm of a woman murdered in a local restaurant. Police discovered Montenegro dead from three gunshot wounds. Initial reports indicate that two unknown gunmen entered and pulled out firearms, shooting the victim at point-blank range.
Guerrero state Attorney General Xavier named Javi Daniel Cervantes Magno, alias “El Barbas,” as the suspect responsible for ordering Montenegro’s death, due to her social commentary on YouTube. “El Barbas” was a former member of the Independent Cartel of Acapulco.
Olea said that threatening drug-cartel banners had been displayed throughout Acapulco in recent months referring to “Nana Pelucas.” Olea said that certain criminal elements were upset with cartel related information that “Nana Pelucas” uploaded. Her husband, Samuel Muñuzuri, angrily denied these allegations and accused the state attorney general of trying to blame his wife for her own murder. Her added that she never broadcast any inside information or critiques of drug cartels and only used political satire to call out politicians.
Montenegro’s YouTube channel consisted of videos in which “Nana Pelucas” would wear her curly black wig, large earrings and glasses while portraying herself as a gossiping grandmother. Her comedy routine would also hit political tones, primarily teasing what she referred to as the self-serving and ineffective local politicians of Acapulco.
In one video that “Nana Pelucas” and her husband filmed together, they specifically called out the mayor of Acapulco, Evodio Velázquez, for his ineffectiveness and said that they were placing all blame on him and his team if anything happens to them. Her husband finished with a message by saying that the only one that we do criticize clearly and openly is Evodio Velázquez, according to a local media report.
During a recent press conference, Nana Pelucas’ husband accused the state attorney general of fabricating threats against his wife to include the alleged narco-banners and claimed the politicos were using these tactics to silence dissent. Her husband demanded that the governor step in, according to a local report.
Breitbart Texas has been reporting on the ongoing violence in the state of Guerrero–which is considered one of Mexico’s most dangerous. Guerrero registered 2,318 homicides in 2017. The non-stop violence has been primarily attributed to infighting between the multiple criminal organizations throughout the state.
Robert Arce is a retired Phoenix Police detective with extensive experience working Mexican organized crime and street gangs. Arce has worked in the Balkans, Iraq, Haiti, and recently completed a three-year assignment in Monterrey, Mexico, working out of the Consulate for the United States Department of State, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Program, where he was the Regional Program Manager for Northeast Mexico (Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Durango, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas.)