Cartagena Mayor Dumek Turbay announced the safe recovery of renowned DJ Dever and two members of his team on Saturday, February 14, 2026, bringing an end to days of uncertainty following their disappearance after a performance on February 10th. The artist and his crew were found in the Puerto Colombia area, according to authorities.
The news, confirmed by Turbay via his social media channels, has been met with widespread relief among fans and the Colombian music community. DJ Dever, whose real name is Dever Ríos, had been missing since a musical event in Tubará, Atlántico, prompting a search effort involving local police and authorities. The recovery marks a positive turn in a case that had sparked concern across the region.
“Update on this great news about Dj Dever: Just like our artist friend, his two companions are also safe and sound at a Medical Center in Puerto Colombia,” Turbay wrote in a Facebook post. He detailed that all three individuals are currently undergoing medical evaluations and are expected to return to Cartagena soon. The mayor also highlighted the resilience of Dever’s partner, Tiffany, praising her unwavering support throughout the ordeal.
According to a statement from the Policía Nacional de Colombia, Antoni García and Leonardo Rodríguez, members of DJ Dever’s team, first contacted authorities around 1:10 a.m. On February 14th. They approached a police unit on Avenida Circunvalar with Cordialidad in Barranquilla, stating they were with the artist. Both were immediately assessed medically. Later, at approximately 5:10 a.m., DJ Dever himself presented at the CAI Caujaral in Puerto Colombia, where he also received medical attention. All three remain under police protection and are reported to be in good health.
Turbay indicated that authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance, suggesting it may have been a “secuestro exprés,” or express kidnapping. “Now we wait for more information about what happened from the police authorities. but the most important thing is that Dever is safe and sound,” he stated. He also expressed gratitude to the Policía Nacional and all those involved in the search efforts.
Leonardo Rodríguez is known as the logistics manager and regular driver for DJ Dever, while Antoni García is a member of the technical team responsible for sound and operational coordination during performances, according to reporting by El Heraldo.
The recovery comes after a period of intense searching and public appeals for information. Authorities have not yet confirmed reports of a body found near Juan Mina as being connected to the case, continuing to investigate all leads. Infobae reports that DJ Dever is currently under the protection of the Gaula, a specialized unit of the Colombian National Police dedicated to combating kidnapping and extortion.
The mayor’s office confirmed that DJ Dever will be returning home to Cartagena, and that authorities are awaiting further details from the police regarding the events leading up to his disappearance. The investigation is ongoing to determine any potential suspects and the full scope of the incident.
As investigations continue, authorities are focused on establishing a clear timeline of events and understanding the circumstances that led to DJ Dever and his team being briefly missing. Further updates are expected from the Policía Nacional as the investigation progresses.
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