Singer Carolina Jaramillo has denied involvement in the death of her husband, Armonía 10 vocalist Paul Flores, following allegations of a crime of passion.
Jaramillo expressed outrage over attempts to link her to the murder during an interview on the Peruvian television program Arriba mi gente on Latina Televisión. Breaking into tears on air, the widow promised to continue fighting to secure justice for the late musician, who was widely known as El Russo.
Jaramillo and Flores were together for 17 years and shared a child together. Flores was a prominent vocalist for Armonía 10, one of Peru's most famous cumbia orchestras, founded in Piura in 1972.
Flores was killed when hitmen on motorcycles opened fire on the Armonía 10 tour bus during a period when the musical group was facing extortion threats.
Phone call during the attack
Recalling the moment of the shooting, Jaramillo explained that she was also working as a singer and was performing at a show when the incident occurred. She said she was on the phone with her husband, discussing love and normal marital topics, when he suddenly stopped responding as the attack unfolded.
The accusations connecting Jaramillo to the killing arose after her brother-in-law, the brother of Paul Flores, testified before authorities during a legal hearing. Authorities questioned him about how Jaramillo and Flores got along and whether they had marital problems or maintained a good relationship.
Jaramillo stated that after the hearing, media headlines reported that the investigation had taken a dramatic turn. She said the reports created a widespread public impression that she was involved or had arranged the crime, which she strongly denied.
Call for justice and family support
Jaramillo emphasized that the shooting was clearly an attack aimed at the music company as part of an extortion scheme, rather than a targeted hit on her husband.
Addressing the ongoing public scrutiny, Jaramillo noted that she has spoken with her parents-in-law. She told them she will remain steadfast and continue fighting for Flores, for herself, and for his parents despite harsh public criticism.
In a message directed to her late husband, Jaramillo asked Flores to grant her strength to endure the ordeal, adding that he had left her a difficult task ahead. She declared that she would not stay silent until those responsible for his death are brought to justice.
