Carlos Muñoz, the veteran location manager for Netflix’s “Narcos,” was found dead in Mexico with multiple gunshots. Spanish daily El Pais reports that the 37-year-old was killed on Monday outside of Mexico City while scouting for season four of “Narcos.”
Though the motive of the shooting is unknown, Munoz’s body and shot-up car were discovered in a remote area near the border of Hidalgo state, which is said to have Mexico’s highest murder rate. In July, 182 homicides were reported in the region — a ratio of 12.2 for every 100,000 inhabitants.
Contracted by the Mexico City-based production company Redrum, Muñoz had previously scouted for Hollywood blockbusters that included Tony Scott’s “Man on Fire,” Mel Gibson’s “Apocalypto,” and the latest James Bond film “Spectre.”
“We are aware of the passing of Carlos Munoz Portal, a well-respected scout, and send our condolences to his family,” Netflix said in a brief statement. “The facts surrounding his death are still unknown as authorities continue to investigate.”
“Narcos” season four moves from Columbia to Mexico to focus on the Juarez cartel. Season 3, now streaming on Netflix, depicts the Cali cartel in the wake of notorious drug kingpin Pablo Escobar’s death.
There is no word if Muñoz’s death will shut down production. In the past, violence from drug cartels has forced some films to cancel production and re-schedule shoots.