On Sunday, 4 November 2018, the well-known merengue singer, 63-year old July Mateo (Rasputín), passed away from what is believed to be a massive stroke. His remains were sent to Forensic Pathology and once released were taken to Blandino Funeral Home in Santo Domingo East. His family said he had suffered two previous strokes in 2011 and 2013.
As reported in El Dia, the last person to speak to him was singer Sandy Reyes who said they spoke for 25 minutes around noon on Friday, 2 November 2018. Forensics say he had died on his own more than a day before he was found. He went missing when he did not show up for a performance at Casa de España.
Best known for the song “Viejo Año” and “Oye, Abre los Ojos”, he received a number of awards during his lifetime. His merengues were played during his wake.
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El Dia
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6 November 2018
