Beyoncé's 'Cousin' Martell 'Kardone' Derouen, 34, Reportedly Shot Dead In His Texas Apartment

Rapper Martell Derouen — who has been widely identified as Beyoncé's cousin — was shot dead in his apartment in central Texas on Tuesday, January 26, while police were conducting a welfare check, according to local news. He was 34 years old.

Apparently, an unnamed person had the police check in on the musician — who performed under the name Kardone — after they hadn't heard from him for several days.

Police believe Sasha Skare, 21 — who was also involved in the music scene and had just released a single produced by Kardone in April — is the prime suspect, according to more local reports.

This is hardly the first time Skare has gotten in trouble with the law — she was previously charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after a 2019 shooting that left one man dead and another injured, court records reveal. 

Following the tragic news, Derouen’s wife, Joia, made it clear that Skare needs to be caught. “She is dangerous and I do believe she will kill again. If you see her, please contact the police.” 

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“There is no way to replace him but please help us find this girl,” she said, adding that she needs privacy while she tries “to digest this senseless act.”

Following the tragedy, one of Derouen’s friends mourned the rising star. Brian Mitchell, who owns Fyngermade Studio and worked with Derouen, said: “Kordone was one of those ones who rose and shine bright, brighter than, you know, some of those that was in the room with him.

“I couldn’t believe it. I thought they had the wrong person,” Mitchell said about the heinous act. “It’s like hurting a butterfly.”   

“He was just a real subtle dude, quiet,” he revealed, adding that he never even said that the “Halo” songstress 39, was related to him. 

"That’s not even something he would even mention to people. We’d just have to put in his bios because it’s just, it’s worthy to put it in there, but he doesn’t like stuff like that,” Mitchell said.

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