Flamenco singer Matías de Paula, aged 52, died on Friday after being shot in Plaza Rafael Alberti in Villanueva de la Serena, Badajoz. National Police are investigating the incident, which involved no exchange of fire and no arrests by 19:45.
Matías Corraliza Fernández, known artistically as Matías de Paula, lost his life after 15:00 on Friday in Villanueva de la Serena. National Police sources confirmed his identity and said the body was taken to the Institute of Legal Medicine in Badajoz for autopsy.
The artist, from a flamenco family, performed for over twenty years in Madrid tablaos and collaborated with singers such as Pitingo. Upon returning to his hometown he founded the peña flamenca Diego el Chucarro and taught cante jondo to young students.
Peña president Rubén Gallego described the deceased as “a good singer and very knowledgeable about cante and flamenco in general”. No further details have been released about the shooter or possible motives.