• Paco Stanley’s Murder
  • Alleged Perpetrator Revealed
  • Case Reopens Debate

June 7, 1999, became one of the most shocking dates in Mexican television history, when Paco Stanley’s death was confirmed just hours after he had hosted his show Una tras otra.

That Monday seemed to be unfolding normally for the presenter, who was experiencing a moment of great popularity and maintained a constant presence on national television.

After finishing the broadcast, Stanley went to have breakfast at the restaurant El Charco de las Ranas, on Periférico Sur, accompanied by close collaborators such as Mario Bezares and journalist Jorge Gil.

What began as an ordinary gathering ended in tragedy when, as he headed toward his truck, armed men intercepted the vehicle and opened fire in broad daylight.

The Attack That Shocked the Country

Crimen de Paco Stanley, Paco Stanley’s Murder: Who Allegedly Shot Him Revealed
Paco Stanley’s Murder: Who Allegedly Shot Him Revealed-Photo: Mezcalent

According to case reports, the TV host was hit by four bullets in an attack that unfolded within seconds in front of witnesses.

Jorge Gil was injured during the attack, while the bodyguards were unable to prevent the aggression because of how quickly the events took place.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Kenia Os and Peso Pluma Announce the End of Their Relationship After Months of Rumors

The news spread quickly and dominated major news programs, generating disbelief among millions of viewers who followed his career.

That same night, entertainment figures and relatives went to say goodbye to him at a funeral home in southern Mexico City, in a wake that became a major media event.

Suspicions and Judicial Proceedings

One of the elements that generated the greatest controversy was Mario Bezares’ presence inside the restaurant at the time of the attack, a situation that raised suspicions in the first days of the investigation.

Weeks later, Bezares and hostess Paola Durante were arrested as part of the judicial process aimed at clarifying what had happened.

After months of hearings and extensive media coverage, both were released in January 2001 after insufficient evidence was found to sustain the accusations.

The case became marked by conflicting versions and theories that circulated for years about possible motives and unproven links.

New Revelations After Documentary

Nearly three decades after the killing, a new documentary has placed the case back at the center of public debate by presenting different conclusions about the crime.

Producer Juan Carlos Uribe said Stanley did not belong to any cartel, as had been speculated in the past, but that the attack may have been linked to an alleged financial debt.

“The reason given is that he had been given $4 million to launder in the late 1980s and never returned it,” Uribe said while explaining the central hypothesis of his investigation.

He also revealed the name of the person who, according to his findings, allegedly shot the host: “That person is no longer alive… his name is Carlos Acevedo, alias El Pato,” he said, reopening the discussion about one of the most remembered crimes in Mexican entertainment.