DJ killed at a Marbella private party is identified as José María Ares

The DJ who was shot dead during an illegal private party in Marbella on March 22 is identified as José María Ares (41), reported El Español yesterday.

José María was a DJ almost since he was a child. He moved to Costa del Sol relatively recently, he wanted to start a fresh life with his partner and was no longer DJing in clubs due to the lockdown.

With nightlife badly hit by the pandemic, he filed resumes to find another way to make a living. While waiting for a job, he brought home some cash by doing private party sessions in private homes or rented chalets.

What he didn’t know was that he was going to die by a stray bullet. It happened at dawn last Monday.

The National Police are investigating what happened. The first hypotheses suggest it was a stray bullet that ended his life. The projectile would have hit him in the neck, Sur newspaper reported.

An argument between several people in another room ends with three shots. One of the bullets, fired at the ceiling, bounced and went through a plasterboard wall.

During its trajectory, the bullet hit the body of the man, José María had turned his back on that room.

The victim was well known in the Andalusian nightlife. He started playing on stages in El Cuervo, a Seville city he moved to as a young man. Then it progressed. He delighted the public at renowned locations in the provinces of Cádiz and Seville. He was a regular DJ – he played regularly – on stages like Momart, in the capital of Cádiz, or El Cortijo (El Palmar de Vejer).

He was even allowed to be pigeonholed with greats from the electronic music scene. This is the case of Carlos Jean, with whom he met in El Cortijo in the summer of 2017.

He also performed occasionally in other coastal areas of Cadiz. Mamajuana (Chiclana) or Ícaro (Conil), are some examples. And in well-known Sevillian nightclubs such as La Posada, in Lebrija, a neighboring town at El Cuervo. Sometimes he also worked at weddings. It was a DJ whose services were priced. Some people remember him for passing through the booths of the horse market in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz).

People close to the victim explained to EL ESPAÑOL that he was a “healthy”, “normal”, “nice” man and that he never got into trouble despite spending many years in the night scene. They did not expect what happened. His inner circle is still in shock. They remember him as a nice person.

The alleged person responsible for the death of the Ferrol DJ José María Ares arrested. A 30-year-old man of German nationality has been arrested this morning in the Malaga capital as the material author of the shots and, in addition, he is charged with the crimes of illegal possession of weapons and omission of the duty of relief.

Marbella

The party took place in a villa in the urbanizacion Guadalmina in Marbella. The owner, of foreign descent, later stated to the National Police that he usually rents the property as a tourist home, but he does not know what is happening inside.

The night before the event, another party was held. Neighbors complained about the noises.

At a still uncertain moment, José María was hit by a bullet. The 112 Emergency Services were informed around three in the morning, although it is being investigated whether the emergency call was immediate or whether valuable time was wasted.

The health and police officers rushed to the scene but couldn’t do anything to save his life. The partygoers mysteriously disappeared.

The responses were quick. On his Facebook community, a user complained bitterly about what had happened, in what seemed like a kind of criticism of those making it impossible to open nightlife with restrictive measures rather than supporting safe opening measures. “Because the nightlife is not open and with security measures, things like this happen. Rest in peace, compadre,” the user wrote.

Another fan described him in a specific way: “Lover of what he does, dedicated, and unique … but where he goes he repeats, because he likes it! Unreplaceable, you have to see and hear it.”

Latest Developments in the Tragic Death of José María Ares

In a distressing update to the tragic incident that shook Marbella’s community, significant progress has been made in the investigation into the untimely death of José María Ares, a DJ who was fatally shot at an illegal party on March 22. The National Police have made critical arrests in connection with the case, shedding light on the circumstances that led to this senseless loss of life.

Two German nationals have been apprehended, one being directly accused of the shooting that claimed Ares’ life, and the other suspected of attempting to conceal the crime. This development marks a significant breakthrough in the case, offering some semblance of justice for Ares’ family and friends​​.

Further investigation into the incident has unveiled a disturbing connection between the primary suspect and the “Hells Angels,” a notorious biker gang with a history of criminal activities, including drug trafficking and sexual exploitation. This connection to an organized crime group adds a layer of complexity to the case, highlighting the pervasive influence of such networks within the region. The “Hells Angels” are known for their ultranationalist stance and a long-standing history of violent criminal activity, establishing their presence in Europe from the United States since the 1980s​​.

The community continues to mourn the loss of José María Ares, who was remembered for his passion for music and aspirations beyond his career as a DJ. His death has sparked a broader conversation about the safety of private gatherings and the impact of organized crime on local communities. As the investigation proceeds, authorities remain committed to unraveling the full extent of this tragedy and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.