Héctor Zamorano, a contestant from the first generation of La Academia, died from a cardiac arrest after battling a chronic illness and depression. His family confirmed that his body could no longer endure, and former companions expressed sorrow over his isolation in recent years. The Veracruz singer, the first eliminated from the reality show, leaves a legacy in Mexican tropical music.
Héctor Zamorano, from Veracruz and a member of La Academia's first generation in 2002, died on Tuesday from a cardiac arrest, as confirmed by his father to media outlets. 'He died from a cardiorespiratory arrest and nothing more. His body couldn't take it anymore (…) we wished with all our soul that he would no longer suffer, that he would rest. And God allowed it and listened to us', the father said, highlighting family support until the end.
The family revealed that Zamorano suffered from an unspecified chronic illness that led to hospitalization three or four years ago. Former companions like Estrella Veloz, in an interview with Ventaneando, recalled his isolation: 'He hadn't responded to me for a long time, I didn't know about him. Several of us didn't know about him'. Veloz believed he was not emotionally well and respected his wish not to communicate. Zamorano had previously confessed his depression: 'I have no motivation, no energy or enthusiasm and well, many more things. I've had no desire to wake up for a while'.
His brother emphasized family affection: 'Thank God, he was with us, with the whole family, for a long time, and that's where we started to really pamper him, to have him and always be united with him'. Former students sent a flower crown, a gesture that touched the family. Wendolee, who lived with him for two years, said: 'Héctor lived his last years accompanied by the love of his family'.
Zamorano, the first eliminated from La Academia, released the album Mi sabor in 2003 with the single 'Batido de coco'. He participated in Desafío de estrellas, La pareja ideal with Nadia, and Inseparables with Myriam and Víctor García. He maintained a discreet presence on Instagram. Due to violence in Veracruz after 'El Mencho's' death, Veloz will not attend the funeral.