True Crime/Paranormal/Conspiracy Theories Part VII (Wattys2025)

Murder of Chalino Sanchez

Rosalino "Chalino" Sánchez Félix (30 August 1960 – c. 15 May 1992) was a Mexican singer-songwriter. Posthumously called "El Rey del Corrido", he is considered one of the most influential narcocorrido singers of the late 20th century. A pioneer in Mexican music, he began composing songs for inmates who had stories they wanted to preserve in ballads. Chalino also composed and sang romantic and radio-friendly songs.

Sánchez was born in Sinaloa, the youngest of the family. Chalino had aspirations of musical notoriety from a young age. In 1984, Chalino's brother Armando was murdered in a hotel in Tijuana, inspiring him to compose his first corrido Recordando A Armando Sánchez. Eventually, Chalino began to profit via his compositions and would be gifted with guns and 'presents' by his customers. Before his brothers' murder, Chalino was introduced to Ángel Parra, who became interested in his musical talents after hearing a performance. Parra arranged for Chalino to have a meeting at his studio, Angel Studios, and began recording his first demo cassette with a norteño group named Los Cuatro de la Frontera. By 1989, Sánchez was recognized throughout California and received many requests to sing in music venues.

Chalino performed in venues in California, such as the El Parral Nightclub in South Gate, El Puma De Sinaloa, and El Farallón. He performed at the Keystone Ford Show and Noches de Taconazo. He formed Los Amables Del Norte, arguably producing his most acclaimed music while with them. He signed with record labels, such as Discos Linda, Cintas Acuario, RR, Balboa Records Edimusa, and Musart. It was during the early 1990s that Sánchez received the nickname "Rey de Los Corridos" (King of the Corridos) and was regarded as one of Mexico's greatest singers.

On January 24, 1992, Sánchez was attacked by Eduardo Gallegos while performing at the Plaza Los Arcos restaurant and nightclub in Coachella, California. Sánchez was shot twice near his armpit, striking his lung, and a gunfight ensued. Gallegos initially missed Chalino and accidentally struck 20-year-old Claudio Rene Carranza in the right leg striking the main artery, later killing him. The shooting made headlines in regional English-language newspapers and ABC World News Tonight. Afterward, Chalino saw success with his sales and began getting increased airplay. He was shot and killed by unidentified assailants hours after a performance at the Salon Bugambilias in Culiacán on May 16, 1992.

Early life and career

Rosalino Sánchez Félix was born on "Las Flechas", a small ranch in Sinaloa. He was the youngest of seven children. His parents were Santos Sanchez (died 1964) and Senorina Felix (died 1991). Chalino grew up poor and lived a difficult life. His birth name was Rosalino, but he preferred his nickname Chalino since he considered Rosalino sounded too feminine.

In 1975 his sister was raped, and two years later in 1977 Chalino saw the man at a party and allegedly shot him in revenge, killing him. After committing this act, Sanchez left for Tijuana with his gun and a Jesús Malverde chain. During his time in Tijuana, he worked as a "coyote" (an immigrant smuggler), taking immigrants into the United States.

The same year, Chalino himself crossed into the United States as an undocumented immigrant worker. He began in Oregon and later moved to Los Angeles to live with his aunt in Inglewood, California. He washed dishes, sold cars, and, according to his friends, dealt small quantities of marijuana and cocaine. He also helped his older brother, Armando, run an immigrant smuggling operation.

Chalino met Marisela Vallejos in 1984. They married while she was pregnant with their son, Adán Sánchez, and later had a second child. They were married until Chalino Sanchez died in 1992.

In 1984, Armando was shot and killed in a hotel in Tijuana, which inspired Chalino to compose his first corrido or ballad. Around this time, Chalino was arrested. He began composing songs for his fellow inmates and anyone with a story worth telling. Chalino began to earn money through his compositions and would be gifted with guns and 'presents' by his customers. Among his many customers were Lucio Villareal, El Pelavacas, and Jorge "El Coquio" Castro. A small group known as "Los Cuatro de la Frontera" recommended Chalino goes to a recording studio in Olympic Boulevard in Los Angeles. The studio was called San Angel Records and was owned by Angel Mariscal. Originally another artist was meant to sing Chalino's songs, but he canceled, so Chalino sang his songs.