Jose 'Luis' Vasquez: Soft Moon musician found dead of a suspected fentanyl overdose in a Los Angeles loft

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Soft Moon musician Jose “Luis” Vasquez was one of the three people found dead of a suspected fentanyl overdose in a Los Angeles loft alongside techno DJ Silent Servant and his wife.

According to Los Angeles Times, Vasquez, 44, was found dead Thursday, January 18,  along with the DJ, real name John “Juan” Mendez, and Mendez’s wife, Simone Ling, 43, after a welfare check.

Jose 'Luis' Vasquez's cause of death

Although his cause of death has not been revealed, it is being investigated as a possible fentanyl overdose after paraphernalia were found at the scene in the DJ’s loft, the paper’s sources said. The musician gained a global fan base with his post-punk project the Soft Moon, and released five albums as well as several remixes and EPs. 

He also toured with acts including Depeche Mode, Interpol, and Mogwai.

Soft Moon's heartbreaking social media post

“It is with great sadness that we announce our dear friend, Luis Vasquez has passed away,” Soft Moon’s social media pages confirmed, without detailing a cause. “Our hearts and thoughts are with his family, friends and extended music family. We ask to respect their privacy during this difficult time … This is a huge loss and our hearts are broken,” it added.  

The Soft Moon was a home-recording project that evolved into a popular post-punk/darkwave act. Vasquez was set to perform shows and festivals in Denmark, Georgia, Turkey and Greece next month, according to his website. Mendez was a well-known LA techno DJ who recorded under the name “Silent Servant.”

People paid tribute after Jose 'Luis' Vasquez's death 

“Devastated to hear about the passing of Juan, Silent Servant + Luis, Soft Moon,” tweeted Rachel Grace Almeida of music mag Crack, addinc “Two Latino artists whose legacies and contributions to techno, darkwave + industrial were synthesised by this very fact. Mourning their losses today, and every day.”

Devastated to hear about the passing of Juan, Silent Servant + Luis, Soft Moon. Two Latino artists whose legacies and contributions to techno, darkwave + industrial were synthesised by this very fact. Mourning their losses today, and every dayhttps://t.co/UhaGZnMjXn

— rachel grace almeida (@_rachelgrace) January 19, 2024

Performer and producer Peter Van Hoesen called him “one of the kindest people in electronic music.” “Deeply shocked and saddened by Juan Mendez’ passing from this life. Thank you Silent Servant," he wrote.

The trio was found on Thursday, January 18, at Mendez’s and Ling’s residence at the Pacific Electric Lofts on Main Street after a welfare check sought by Vasquez’s wife, according to the LA Times’ sources. Vasquez made his music debut in 2010. His latest project, instrumentals from his 2022 album “Exister,” was released in December 2023.

Mendez recently released a new single but said in 2018 that he was taking a break from the lifestyle of a full-time DJ.