K-pop star Samuel's father Jose Arredondo, 58, found 'beaten to death' at his private home in Mexico
K-pop star Samuel’s father Jose Arredondo — a car dealer from Bakersfield, California — has been killed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on July 16.
He was found “beaten to death” in his home in the popular resort town, authorities said.
Fifty-eight-year-old Arredondo's body "showed signs of blunt force trauma," state prosecutors Baja California Sur was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
Investigators are looking into a possible home invasion angle. However, no suspect has been publicly identified yet.
A United States State Department official told the AP on Tuesday they are "closely monitoring local authorities’ investigation into the cause of death."
"We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance," he added.
Arredondo was a well-respected member of the Bakersfield community, KGET News reported. He had migrated to the United States from Mexico in the 1970s.
His son Samuel Kim Arredondo, who is currently living in South Korea, released his debut solo album in 2017. As part of the music duo 1Punch in 2015, he went by the nickname “Punch.”
In 2017, Samuel appeared on the second season of reality competition show Produce 101.
Meanwhile, members of Arredondo's church are mourning his death, with the pastor calling it a "murder."
“Jose Arredondo was murdered last night,” James Ranger, the pastor of New Life Church, said on Facebook Tuesday.
Ranger shared an old video of Arredondo pushing for donations to the church to renovate one of their campuses.
“I will miss you, my dear friend... until we meet again,” Ranger wrote alongside. “In this video, you hear his heart for Jesus, the Church, for reaching the needy, and… then at the end… his understanding about the end of life and hearing Jesus say, ‘Well done,'”
The pastor added. “He is now hearing those words.”
“One day in heaven, we will be celebrating,” Arredondo is heard saying in the footage shared by Ranger.