Born in Columbia one May 1, 1971; Andre “Angel” Menendez was a club Kid that lived in New York City. He was murdered by Michael Alig and Robert “Freeze” Riggs on March 17, 1996. Lets take a look at what is known about him. Andre Menendez was 24 years old.

Menendez and his family left Columbia for New York in between 1979 and 1980, when Angel was 8 years old. In the 80’s Angel became one of a dozen or so club kids, who surrounded Alig. Angel was seen often in his trademark wings at clubs throughout Manhattan. The New York Times reported on o9/11/97 that ” Mr. Melendez’s brother (John Melendez) said Mr. Melendez had considered it glamorous to associate with someone so well known.”

The Andre “Angel” Melendez memorial page shared a photo Gregory Kennell had posted of himself and Angel. Here’s some of what Kennel wrote about Angel, “André was sweet, confused, and a little bit vulnerble; thus the menacing appearance of his beautiful ‘Statue of Liberty’ mohawk.”

Sometime in the early 90’s after he met Limelight owner Peter Gatien, Angel purportedly became a drug dealer, And was put on the payroll of the Limelight, so he could service all of Gatien’s clubs. In September of 1995, the Limelight was raided by federal agents. They padlocked the club and began an investigation into Gatien. After the raid, Angel was fired.

Menendez moved in with Alig into apartment 3K, 560 west, 43 street. On March 17 1996 Angel disappeared. Angels brother and Aunt began trying to contact Angel. When they received no response, John Melendez went to the police. “They didn’t pay no attention, they didn’t even want to make a missing persons report.” Melendez said in an interview for the Party Monster Shockumentry.

Frustrated by the lack of response from the police, John Menendez began his own investigation. He made up flyers offering a $4000 reward and he hit the street to start asking people if they had seen his brother. At one point he even questioned Alig himself, telling Party Monster “He didn’t want to face me.. He didn’t want to look at me in my eyes. Me and my brother, we look alike a lot . Right there I said this guy is guilty he’s not saying the truth.”

In April of 1996, Children playing at Miller Field beach on Staten Island found a box that contained the remains of angel Menendez. On October 1st 1997 Michael Alig and Robert Riggs, who had both accepted plea deals, pleading guilty for first degree manslaughter; were sentenced to twenty years in prison. Riggs was released on parole in 2010 and alig on may 5 2014.