Share
SAN JOSE DEL CABO, Mexico — Mexican authorities say they have arrested a suspect in the murder of Jose Arredondo, a San Joaquin Valley auto dealer and the father of K-pop star Samuel.
Arredondo, a U.S. citizen, who was found dead earlier this month in a condominium in Baja California Sur state.
Mexican authorities said Monday that a man identified as Roberto Guadelupe Martinez Gonzalez, originally from Mexico’s Hidalgo state, was arrested in the killing of Arredondo, a prominent car dealer in Bakersfield and Fresno.
The suspect had been reported missing by his family.
Mexican authorities say Arredondo’s body showed signs of blunt force trauma.
Celebration of Life in Bakersfield
Arredondo would have turned 61 years old Monday. The Bakersfield Californian reported that a celebration of life was held for him at New Life Church in Bakersfield. Speakers at the celebration praised Arredondo’s generosity.
One of 11 children who grew up in Mexico, Arredondo crossed the border into California at age 11 and made a life for himself, KGET reported. He started out washing cars but eventually got a job selling cars. His life took off from there.
A Twist in the Case?
The Californian reported Tuesday that a Bakersfield attorney said the suspect and Arredondo were longtime friends.
“They were friends for quite some time,” Bakersfield lawyer David Torres told the Californian in a phone interview. “From time to time they were golfing buddies as well.”
The suspect’s daughter says her father was kidnapped and wasn’t involved in the murder of Arredondo.
However, Mexican authorities allege that Martinez orchestrated his own kidnapping and is responsible for Arredondo’s death.
Watch: Samuel
Samuel Kim Arredondo, 17, has lived in South Korea since 2017. As a child, he appeared in commercials for his father’s dealerships.
(Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Will Gov. Newsom Call a Special Session to Deal With Gas Prices?
2 hours ago
Bettors Banking on Eagles Resurgence, Cowboys Regression as NFL Season Begins
13 hours ago
Abandoned Poodle Mix Adam Survives the Wild and Seeks a Forever Home
14 hours ago
Top Brazilian Judge Orders Suspension of X Platform in Brazil Amid Feud With Musk
1 day ago
How a Real Estate Boom Drove Political Corruption in Los Angeles
1 day ago
![Police officers secure the area and investigate the scene of a shooting at Union Square in San Francisco, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/31184052/piersall-shooting-1024x683.jpg)
49ers Rookie WR Ricky Pearsall Shot in Attempted Union Square Robbery
![Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at an event in anticipation of signing a bill on his proposed oil profit penalty plan in Sacramento on March 28, 2023. (CalMatters/ Miguel Gutierrez Jr.)](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/31175839/newsom-big-oil.webp)
Will Gov. Newsom Call a Special Session to Deal With Gas Prices?
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/16183042/Eagles-vs-49ers.jpg)
Bettors Banking on Eagles Resurgence, Cowboys Regression as NFL Season Begins
![A black poodle's face with his tongue sticking out](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/29135336/Rescued-from-an-abandoned-home-after-weeks-of-fending-for-himself-Adam-a-shy-but-sweet-poodle-mix-is-now-seeking-a-loving-forever-home.-Mells-Mutts-1024x538.jpg)
Abandoned Poodle Mix Adam Survives the Wild and Seeks a Forever Home
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28091346/082824-Lede-1024x576.jpg)