A Crime That Shakes Mexico and Argentina
On September 1, 2026, a multiple homicide shook the community of Atizapán de Zaragoza, in the State of Mexico. The victims were Jonathan Meléndez Ochoa (38), keyboardist and producer of the band Camilo Séptimo; his wife Ana Paula Barragán (35), who was 4 months pregnant; their daughter Sofía (3); and the housekeeper Aleyda Romero (21). The family dog was also killed.
The only survivor was the couple's eldest son, a 6-year-old boy who managed to hide during the attack and was rescued by police hours later. The child is now under the protection of authorities.
The Detainee: Diego Sebastián Rosen
The main suspect is Diego Sebastián Rosen (also referred to as Diego Sebastián “N” or Rosen Ferlini), an Argentine 51 years old, born on March 26, 1975 in Buenos Aires. Rosen became a Mexican citizen in 2001 and had an extensive business and legal history.
Alongside him, Gerardo “N” was arrested as an alleged accomplice. Both were captured within 24 hours of the crime.
The Evidence: A Video That Incriminates Him
Building security cameras captured Rosen entering the property minutes before the attack, wearing a cap, dark glasses, and a backpack. In the video, he is seen staring directly at the camera before exiting the elevator. Additionally, he allegedly changed the license plates of his gray Kia vehicle to evade authorities.
The weapon used was a 9mm pistol with a silencer. The bodies were found bound; the girl had a gunshot wound to the head, and the housekeeper had gunshot wounds to the back.
The Relationship Between Victim and Accused
Rosen and Meléndez were business partners in a luxury vacation rental business operating under the names “+Relax” and later “Nomad Property Management” (NOMAD Adventures). They managed 32 properties in Valle de Bravo, with rates ranging from 7,000 to 50,000 Mexican pesos per night.
The investigation suggests that the meeting on the day of the crime was to demand 30 million pesos in cryptocurrencies from Rosen due to financial discrepancies.
Background: A History of Lawsuits and Complaints
Rosen was no stranger to the Mexican justice system. He faced at least 5 prior legal proceedings, including amparos (writs of protection) and a legal detention in December 2025 that did not proceed. In 2019, four banks (including Banco Multiva) sued him in commercial executive proceedings.
Furthermore, at least 11 people considered themselves victims of his vacation rental business, with reported losses of 400,000 to 500,000 Mexican pesos per victim, and up to 2,000,000 pesos in total accumulated.
Timeline of the Crime
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 31 | Meléndez asked a friend to alert authorities if he didn't hear from him, as he was meeting with his partner. |
| September 1, 5:24 PM | Cameras capture Rosen entering the building. |
| September 1 | Ana Paula opened the door to Rosen, who subdued her along with her daughter and the dog. When Meléndez arrived, he was killed. |
| September 1, ~11:50 PM | Police rescue the surviving boy. |
| September 2 | Arrests: Gerardo “N” in Tecámac; Rosen on the Mexico-Toluca highway, near La Marquesa, Ocoyoacac. |
Official Statements
Omar García Harfuch, Mexican Security Secretary, confirmed that Rosen was a partner of one of the victims and took advantage of that trust relationship to enter the home. Authorities continue investigating the case, which has caused great shock in both countries.