20 Years Without Valentín Elizalde: Makers of New Docuseries Discuss the Late Musical Icon & His Still-Unsolved Murder

The 72 hours leading up to the murder of regional Mexican music icon Valentín Elizalde, which occurred in the early hours of Nov. 25, 2006, in the border city of Reynosa, Mexico, are the central focus of the new HBO Max docuseries The Killing of The Golden Rooster (Valentín: La muerte del Gallo de Oro).

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The series, which premiered globally on Thursday (Nov. 12), explores Elizalde’s life and legacy through firsthand accounts and archival material. It delves into his origins, musical career and final hours, as well as the theories and lingering questions surrounding a case that shook a nation 20 years ago — while his musical legacy continues to resonate across generations.

“The murder of Valentín Elizalde has remained unresolved for 20 years,” says Esteban Vidal, executive producer of HBO Max, in an interview with Billboard Español. “Two decades after his death, we felt it was an important moment to revisit his story, his profile, and to address an issue that persists in the country: violence and impunity.”

Directed by Ida Cuellar, The Killing of The Golden Rooster reconstructs the singer’s final hours across three episodes, and examines the various theories surrounding his murder: a forbidden love, possible ties to organized crime and a betrayal from within his inner circle. The docuseries features voices such as Fausto “Tano” Castro Elizalde, Valentín’s cousin and the sole survivor of the attack; Gabriela Sabag, the singer’s ex-wife; Gabriela Elizalde, his daughter; Alejandro Lira, a songwriter and friend of Valentín; Héctor López, his manager; and contemporary regional Mexican star Carín León.

“This is not a judicial investigation; it’s a documentary,” clarifies Alejandro Sugich, executive producer of Sula Entertainment. “That’s why we aimed to include all perspectives.”

Sugich also mentions that he maintained communication with the singer’s family and hopes that, after the docuseries’ release, his relatives will see it as a “tribute” to the life and work of the “Gallo de Oro,” while maintaining impartiality. “I spoke with his mother, his son-in-law, and everyone else,” Sugich says. “I think they may have initially thought the documentary was being told from the perspective of someone they don’t have a relationship with. But here, the protagonist is Valentín Elizalde and the impunity in Mexico — that’s what the docuseries is about.”

Valentina Elizalde, the late singer’s daughter, issued a statement on Wednesday (Nov. 11) on her Instagram account on behalf of her family — including the singer’s mother, Camila Valencia — where they decline to comment on the program. They explain that, since they did not participate in its production or review its content, they prefer not to express an opinion.

Beyond reconstructing the crime, the docuseries explores the social context surrounding Elizalde’s story and the complex relationships between regional Mexican music, violence and organized crime. It offers a look at a phenomenon that transcends the singer’s life and continues to resonate today. The murder of the “Golden Rooster” occurred during one of the most violent periods in northern Mexico, just days before then-president Felipe Calderón launched an anti-drug cartel offensive known as the “War on Drugs,” which has resulted in over 350,000 deaths in the country, according to official figures cited by outlets such as the Washington Post.

“There was a moment — the political and social context of 2006 — that intersected with Valentín’s life,” Sugich observes.

One of the docuseries’ notable participants is Alejandro Lira, a friend of Elizalde and co-author of several of his songs, including the controversial corrido “A Mis Enemigos” (To My Enemies), which was at one point linked to a powerful drug cartel leader. For Lira, the docuseries represents an opportunity to highlight the human side of the artist and introduce his work to new generations.

Twenty years after his passing, Valentín Elizalde remains a reference point and influence for multiple generations who continue singing his hits — including “Así Que Te Vas,” “La Tambora Va a Sonar” and “118 Balazos.”

Born on Feb. 1, 1979, in Navojoa, Mexico, Elizalde was just 27 years old at the time of his death. Despite his short career, his impact has been profound. New stars of regional Mexican music like Peso Pluma and Natanael Cano, who have cited Elizalde as a major influence, “were about six or seven years old when the tragedy happened, and look at how deeply he impacted them,” Lira concludes. “Valentín was ahead of his time.”