Farruko Pop: a heartbreaking funeral and arrests following his murder in Guatemala

While the small Guatemalan village of Chacalte grieved as the body of young musician and influencer, Jorge Sebastián Pop Chocoj, known as Farruko Pop, arrived for his final farewell, local authorities revealed suspects of his murder were in custody.

The body of the young Latino influencer was found in a house in Guatemala City after being missing for several days, leaving his fans and the entertainment community in shock. The 18-year-old's Latin music artist brutal murder has sent shockwaves through Guatemala.

Farruko Pop's funeral

The journey to lay him to rest began in Guatemala City and ended in Chacalte, Izabal, approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) northeast of the capital. Along the way, the procession made a detour through Alta Verapaz, a region closely connected to Farruko Pop's roots.

Upon reaching Chacalte, the funeral procession was met with an outpouring of grief. Friends, family, and villagers gathered to pay their respects. The coffin, draped in the Guatemalan flag, was accompanied by the poignant strains of a song that encapsulated the young man's vibrant spirit. A prayer and mass were held in Q'eqchi', one of the maya languages still spoken in the area and Farruko Pop's native language, before his remains were taken to the local school for a memorial service.

The community's anguish was palpable. Manuel Pop, Farruko's father, expressed profound gratitude for the support shown to his family and called for justice for his son. A local teacher, Santiago Tec Choj, remembered Farruko as a humble and active young man who was deeply loved by those around him.

The suspects of Farruko Pop's murder

The shocking discovery of Farruko Pop's body on May 25th in a shallow grave inside a house in El Limón, Guatemala City, has left many questions unanswered. The area is known for being a stronghold of the notorious gang Mara 18. Initial investigations revealed that Farruko Pop had traveled from Cobán to Guatemala City, taking a taxi and then a tuk-tuk (a three wheeled vehicle) to El Limón, where he died.

According to Guatemala's La Prensa Libre, the Latino influencer had been exchanging text messages with a young woman. The working theory is that she lured him to the place. However, the motive is still murky, since "nothing in that area happens without the order of the leaders on Mara 18, who are in jail," said a local resident.

This has led investigators to believe he was deceitfully drawn into a deadly trap, either with romantic motives or under the promise of a music concert. Authorities have arrested an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old woman in connection with the murder. Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior has taken into isolation four leaders of the Mara 18 gang, believed to be involved in orchestrating the crime, from inside Fraijanes prison.

Who was Farruko Pop

Born Jorge Sebastián Pop Chocoj in San Pedro Carchá, Alta Verapaz, Farruko Pop's journey from a humble background to social media stardom was both inspiring and rapid. He adopted his stage name as a tribute to his idol, the renowned reggaeton artist Farruko. Despite facing numerous challenges, his unique voice and engaging content quickly garnered a large following on platforms like TikTok.

His big break came when he took part in a televised talent show, the Guatemalan edition of the talent competition La Academia. Although he did not win, his performance caught the eye of a judge who saw his potential and offered him a scholarship for singing lessons. This opportunity was cut short by his untimely death.