The music industry is mourning the unexpected death of Xavier Ortiz, one of the original members of the popular ‘90s group Garibaldi. The Mexican singer, actor, and entrepreneur died on Monday, Sept. 7 at his home in Guadalajara. He was 48 years old.
Ortiz’s sister, Olga Ramirez Ortiz, shared the hard news to his fans on Twitter. “Look, I am his sister, and much to my regret I tell you that he committed suicide. We are in shock.” she expressed. “We knew he was very depressed due to the isolation, the lack of income, and a very stormy separation. He had just sold his house and had money. We are so surprised.”
Guillermo Flores Tovar, director of investigations at the Jalisco State Prosecutor General’s Office, confirmed that the cause of death was asphyxia by hanging, as reported by El Universal.
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In the late ‘80s and ‘90s, Ortiz formed part of the renowned Mexican group Garibaldi, alongside original members Sergio Mayer, Patricia Manterola, Víctor Noriega, Pilar Montenegro, Charly López, Luisa Fernanda, and Katia Llanos.
“He was a brother of life, a companion of great battles, but also of great joys! A being full of great virtues, full of talent, an exemplary father,” Lopez expressed on Instagram. “With deep sadness and great pain, I report the passing of my dear brother and great colleague of the Garibaldi Group and actor, Xavier Ortiz,” said Mayer on Twitter.
Patricia Manterola, who tied the knot with Ortiz in 1999 and divorced him after five years of marriage, said: “This is how I will always remember you, dear Xavi, with that beautiful smile that infected all of us who had the pleasure of crossing your path. Always with your heart so noble and sensitive, with that desire to help whoever asked you, with those eyes so crystalline that they could not hide your feelings, with that immense love for your son. You are already in the arms of your beautiful mom whom you missed so much.”
Ortiz is survived by his eight-year-old son.
In remembrance, listen to five timeless and emblematic Garibaldi songs below.
“Banana / La Bolita”
“Que Te La Pongo”
“La Ventanita”
“Marta Elena”
“Merengue Mix”