By Aiyeku Timothy
Beyonce’s rapper cousin Martell DeRouen, popular on stage as Kardone, has been killed in his San Antonio apartment by unknown persons.
DeRouen is said to be related to songstress Beyonce through her maternal grandmother Agnez Dereon.
The 34-year-old rapper was found dead in his home by police during a welfare check on after receiving a call from a woman on Tuesday.
The Police launched an investigation leading to the arrest of a 21-year-old female suspect who is also suspected to have killed her boyfriend, while no motive for his death has been identified.
Before his death, he had a record deal with The Orchard, a label owned by Sony Music, and reportedly had been working to develop his own niche in the music industry.
The deceased family and friends have demanded justice as police hunt down a female suspect Sasha Skare. She was also charged with an assault linked to the shooting death of her boyfriend in 2019.
Martell DeRouen aka Kardone was widely known in his area as Beyoncé’s cousin, but in the last few years, he had changed the narrative with his own musical pursuits.
Friends and fans of Derouen flocked to social media to pay tribute to the budding artist.
“Kardone was one of those ones who rose and shine bright, brighter than, you know, some of those that was in the room with him,” Brian Mitchell, who owns Fyngermade Studio, told KSAT.
“He was just a real subtle dude, quiet.”
“That’s not even something he would even mention to people,” he said.
“We’d just have to put in his bios because it’s just, it’s worthy to put it in there, but he doesn’t like stuff like that.”
Derouen’s wife reportedly told a local media that her husband “didn’t deserve this” in a text message.
