Lalo Rodriguez: Puerto Rican Salsa Singer Found Dead at 64

The cause of death for Puerto Rican salsa singer Lalo Rodriguez is not yet clear. The 64-year-old was found dead in a parking lot in his hometown. Graphic photos emerged on social media showing the scene of his death.

According to The Associated Press, Rodriguez was found dead on December 14, 2022, “at a public housing project” in Puerto Rico.

A graphic death photo circulated on Twitter purportedly showing Rodriguez’s body, wearing shorts, lying in the parking lot. Photos widely aired on television showed the scene of his death, and last photos circulated that purported to show him shortly before his death.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine how Rodriguez died, AP reported. His full name was Ubaldo Rodríguez Santos. Tributes flowed for the salsa legend.

“A virtuoso goes to music heaven to join Puerto Rican salsa Gods. RIP #LaloRodriguez,” tweeted Sandra Guzman, a writer.

Here’s what you need to know:

There Were ‘No Visible Signs of Violence’ on Rodriguez’s Body

Early signs don’t point to murder or foul play, the Associated Press reported. Police told the AP “there were no visible signs of violence on his body,” according to the wire service.

Rodriguez was found in a parking lot at the public housing project in Carolina, Puerto Rico, where he was from, according to NBC News.

Univision reported in Spanish that Rodriguez was “transferred to the hospital in a patrol belonging to the Trujillo Alto entity, near San Juan, after the officer’s office received a call indicating that a man was in poor condition near dumpsters.”

That site reported that Rodriguez struggled for years with drug and alcohol addiction. “This is not the first time that the artist has been under the spotlight for his behavior derived from addictions, a problem with which he has been struggling for several years,” the site reported.

“In 2016, it was said that he participated in an accident while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, a fact that was denied by a Univision Puerto Rico program.”

Rodriguez Was Called ‘One of the Most Beautiful Voices’ in a Tribute

Elvis Crespo was among those posting tributes to salsa singer. “One of the most beautiful voices my ears have heard and will hear. His unique timbre, tuned and powerful, made his music immortal. My sincere condolences to his family and fans. May our Lalo Rodríguez rest in peace,” he tweeted in Spanish.

Rodriguez was known for his salsa music hit, Ven Devorame Otra Vez. It has 19 million views on YouTube alone. According to NBC, Rodriguez started singing as a teenager and was in a salsa band called Tempo Moderno from 12 to age 15. He was called “El Canario de Carolina,” NBC News reported.

“Lalo fought against the vice monster. Unfortunately, drugs rarely lose. Light and progress Lalo,” Willie Colon, also a well-known salsa singer, tweeted.

According to AllMusic.com, Rodriguez “made his album debut at the age of 16 as lead singer on Eddie Palmieri’s Sun Of Latin Music (1974), the first Latin album to win a Grammy Award. It included his composition ‘Deseo Salvaje’. He also appeared on Palmieri’s Unfinished Masterpiece (1976), which won another Grammy. In 1976, he shared lead vocals on Tommy Olivencia’s Introducing Lalo Rodríguez & Simon Pérez.”

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