The renowned host and music producer of the tropical scene, Daniel “La Tota” Santillán, passed away at the age of 57 and the news was confirmed by his lawyer, Juan Pablo Merlo, who legally represented the historic presenter of “Pasión de Sábado.”
The body of Ricardo Daniel Carías, his real name, was found in his home in the Buenos Aires town of Ituzaingó. The causes of his death are still unknown and an autopsy will be performed to determine the circumstances of his death.
Sources from the investigation told the Argentine News Agency that at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, friends and relatives of “La Tota” showed up at the house, because he had not answered calls or messages for several days.
They also said that “the house was closed and without electricity” and that, upon entering the house, they found La Tota’s body on the floor, with much of it “burned.”
Meanwhile, they indicated that his friends say that “he was depressed and distressed by a number of things, including work problems, financial problems and the conviction he had for gender reasons.”
In the last few hours, influencer Fede Flowers shared on his Instagram account some details about Santillán’s tragic end, since, according to him, the host “apparently electrocuted himself with an armchair,” although this information was not confirmed by official sources and is part of the speculations circulating on social media.
It is not known whether the accident mentioned by Flowers was a fortuitous event or if there were other factors that could have contributed to his death. While waiting for the autopsy, Santillán’s family and friends are asking for respect and privacy at this difficult time.
“La Tota” Santillán, whose real name was Ricardo Daniel Carías, had been a reference in the tropical world since the 1990s and established himself as the host of emblematic programs such as “Pasión de sábado.”
In his last appearances, he had said that he was going through personal and mental health difficulties, which was why he had been hospitalized on several occasions.
“La Tota” Santillán became an emblematic figure of Argentine television and a reference for tropical music. His career included hosting programs such as “Pasión de Sábado”, where he established himself as one of the most beloved hosts of the genre. In addition, he released several albums and participated in theater and television productions.
In 2023, he was sentenced to five years and six months in prison for gender-based violence and threats against his ex-partner, the mother of two of his daughters.
Santillán was born in San Martín, Mendoza, and at a young age he moved to Buenos Aires, where he began his career in tropical music. At the age of 14 he was already working as a card-carrying agent in dance clubs, which marked the beginning of his involvement in the world of music.
The death of “La Tota” Santillán caused a deep shock in the artistic world and among his fans who will remember him as one of the great exponents of the tropical movement.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
