Mathieu Bélanger Obituary, Death – Canadian man who was shot to death in a Playa del Carmen parking lot has been identified as 39-year-old Mathieu Bélanger from Quebec. Local authorities reported that he had been living in the area with his partner using fake Mexican documents. Bélanger’s body was found on Saturday, inside his vehicle, where he had been shot five times in the head. The attack occurred shortly after he had left a gym and was alone in his car when two men on a motorcycle approached and opened fire.
Bélanger, also known by the nickname “Barbu” in Canada, had a history of involvement in drug trafficking and was connected to the Hell’s Angels. Both he and his 33-year-old partner, Andrée-Ann Vignola, were reportedly fugitives living in Playa del Carmen. The couple, originally from Repentigny, Quebec, were thought to be part of a criminal group in Canada that supplied narcotics to the Hell’s Angels, continuing their illicit activities in Mexico. Their life on the run began when they moved from Oaxaca to Quintana Roo in 2022.
Local media reported that Bélanger had been wanted by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) in Canada for charges related to firearms, including unauthorized possession and improper storage. His partner, Vignola, is also wanted in Quebec on similar firearm charges. The couple’s criminal connections were further evidenced by an earlier incident in which the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) of Solidaridad had seized Bélanger’s truck in April 2024 during an arrest. However, he was killed in a different vehicle, and the investigation has drawn the attention of Mexican authorities.
Investigations into Bélanger’s death have suggested that it was a targeted execution. Local law enforcement believes that members of the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel may have been involved in orchestrating the shooting. The Sinaloa Cartel’s influence in the region is significant, and the connection to Bélanger’s criminal ties further complicates the case. This targeted shooting appears to be a part of a larger ongoing conflict between rival factions and criminal organizations, with the Sinaloa Cartel known for its violent methods in dealing with perceived threats.
Despite the shooting being classified as targeted, authorities have yet to make any arrests or provide additional details about the suspects involved in the attack. The motorcycle used in the shooting is a key piece of evidence, and investigators are working to track down any leads related to the assailants.
Bélanger’s partner, Vignola, remains in Playa del Carmen with their children. Her whereabouts are of particular interest to authorities, who are continuing to monitor the situation as they investigate the links between the couple’s criminal activity and the broader network of organized crime in the region. Both Vignola and Bélanger were reportedly living under the radar, blending into the local community while maintaining connections to their past criminal networks in Canada.
The targeted nature of Bélanger’s murder raises questions about the extent of the drug trafficking operations and criminal enterprises operating within the region. While many tourists and expats live in Playa del Carmen, the area has increasingly seen violence connected to organized crime, as factions from various cartels seek to expand their influence in the lucrative drug trade.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the murder and are urging anyone with information to come forward. The involvement of a notorious cartel faction in Bélanger’s killing further highlights the risks faced by individuals involved in international drug trafficking and organized crime. The Sinaloa Cartel, with its far-reaching influence and violent reputation, remains a significant player in the region’s criminal landscape.
For now, local law enforcement is working closely with federal and international agencies to piece together the details of Bélanger’s death and unravel the complex web of crime that connects Canada, Mexico, and beyond. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are hoping that additional evidence and cooperation from the community will lead to the identification and capture of those responsible for the shooting.