Carmen Villalobos was visibly emotional as she dedicated her award at the India Catalina Awards to two production team members from "Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso" who tragically lost their lives the previous Saturday during filming in Bogotá.
The tragic event unfolded on April 19 in Los Laches neighborhood, Santa Fe locality, in Colombia's capital. A man, without provocation, attacked a crew member with a scalpel, sparking a confrontation that resulted in the deaths of three individuals: the two crew victims and the assailant himself.
The production team members who were killed have been identified as 45-year-old Henry Alberto Benavides Cárdenas, a truck driver, and 18-year-old transportation producer Nicolás Francisco Perdomo Corrales.
The attacker, José Cubillos García, approximately 23 years old, also died in the altercation. A fourth individual sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Hospital San Ignacio.
Brigadier General Giovanni Cristancho, commander of the Bogotá Metropolitan Police, recounted the incident: "In the afternoon, in a public area, a man attacked a citizen without warning; then, others in the vicinity intervened to defend the victim. Tragically, the aggressor and two other victims died as a result of this fight."
Authorities ruled out robbery as the motive, classifying the incident as an "act of intolerance." Four individuals connected to the production were detained and are now under the jurisdiction of the Colombian Prosecutor's Office. The ongoing investigation involves reviewing security footage and gathering witness statements.
Villalobos learned of the tragedy while attending the India Catalina Awards in Cartagena, where she was honored as Best Leading Actress. Struggling to speak, she dedicated the award to her colleagues: "Unfortunately, today my heart is shattered by something that happened in the project I'm working on, my heart goes out to the production families today, I dedicate this from here to heaven."
Later, the actress expressed her grief on Instagram, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of the situation: "These have been very sad hours amidst joy," she noted, emphasizing the familial bonds formed on set: "When we're on a project, we all become family. We spend more time with our filming colleagues than with our loved ones."
Villalobos also shared personal tributes to each victim. To Nicolás, she wrote: "To you, Nico, may God welcome you into his holy kingdom. You always had the best attitude and energy. I will always remember you as you were, a being full of light, good vibes, positive energy, and a beautiful soul." Regarding Henry, the truck driver, she remarked that he was "one of the invisible ones on set, those whom almost no one sees, but without whom nothing functions."
Other cast members expressed their sorrow as well. Carolina Gaitán shared a photo of Nicolás Perdomo with the words: "I had to capture your smile because it always brightened my day, I honor your life and I will miss you, may God have you in His embrace right now, my beautiful Nico." Majida Issa, Catherine Siachoque, Gregorio Pernía, Fabián Ríos, and Luigi Vega joined the social media movement with the message "Silence on the set."
Telemundo released an official statement confirming the incident and clarified that "no Telemundo employees or talent were affected."
Frequently Asked Questions about the 'Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso' Tragedy
What happened during the filming of 'Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso'?
During filming in Bogotá, a man attacked a crew member with a scalpel, leading to a fight that resulted in the deaths of three people, including two production team members and the attacker.
Who were the victims in the incident?
The victims were Henry Alberto Benavides Cárdenas, a truck driver, and Nicolás Francisco Perdomo Corrales, a transportation producer.
How did Carmen Villalobos react to the tragedy?
Carmen Villalobos was deeply moved and dedicated her award at the India Catalina Awards to the deceased crew members. She also shared personal tributes to them on Instagram.