Official public records and historical court documentation list Andre Melendez’s birth date as May 1, 1971. Born in Colombia before immigrating to the United States with his family, Melendez was 24 years old at the time of his death in March 1996. His vital records became central to public reporting and legal proceedings following the high-profile New York City Club Kid murder case.
Biographical Overview and Official Vital Records
Understanding the recorded background of Andre "Angel" Melendez requires examining both his early life records and his later prominence in the mid-1990s New York night culture. Melendez was born on May 1, 1971, in Ciénaga, Colombia. During his early childhood, his family relocated to the United States, settling in the borough of Queens, New York, where he spent his formative years.
Official documentation—including state-issued identification, immigration records, and subsequent court filings from the New York County District Attorney’s Office—consistently reflects the May 1, 1971 birth date. While friends and nightlife acquaintances primarily knew him by his nickname, "Angel," legal filings, police reports, and medical examiner records remained anchored to his birth name, Andre Melendez, and his recorded birth date.
The table below outlines the core vital records and biographical markers established in public and legal records:
| Record Category | Documented Detail | Source / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Name | Andre Melendez | New York State Supreme Court Filings |
| Known Alias | Angel Melendez / Angel | Nightlife Industry & Media Coverage |
| Date of Birth | May 1, 1971 | Birth Record & Official Identification |
| Place of Birth | Ciénaga, Colombia | Family Immigration Documentation |
| Date of Death | March 17, 1996 | Medical Examiner / Court Findings |
| Age at Time of Death | 24 Years Old | Forensic & Vital Statistics Verification |
| Primary Location | New York City, New York | Residential & Employment Records |
Melendez’s arrival in New York City’s nightlife scene in the early 1990s coincided with the height of the "Club Kids" movement. Organized primarily around promoter Michael Alig and the Peter Gatien-owned venue Limelight, this subculture emphasized elaborate costumes, theatrical personas, and vibrant party promotion. Melendez became a familiar figure in these venues, frequently working as a promoter and door host. Despite the flamboyant and often anonymous nature of the club scene, Melendez maintained regular ties with his family in Queens, which ultimately proved critical when authorities sought to establish his identity and timeline of disappearance.
The Role of Vital Records in the 1996 Investigation
The verification of Andre Melendez’s birth date and identity played a pivotal role in the criminal investigation surrounding his disappearance and murder. Melendez was last seen alive on March 17, 1996. For several months, his precise whereabouts were unknown, leading his family and friends to file missing person reports with the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
During the missing person investigation, official records—including physical descriptions, date of birth, medical records, and dental files—were cross-referenced across regional law enforcement databases. In April 1996, unidentified human remains washed ashore near Staten Island, New York. At the time of discovery, local authorities were unable to immediately establish an identity, categorizing the case under a John Doe entry.
It was not until late 1996, as criminal investigations into Michael Alig and Robert D. "Freeze" Riggs intensified, that law enforcement connected the unidentified remains in Staten Island to the missing person report for Andre Melendez. Medical examiners utilized Melendez’s official records, specifically dental charts and family-provided medical histories matching his May 1, 1971 birth timeline, to perform a conclusive forensic identification.
The formal verification of his birth date and legal identity allowed prosecutors to construct a detailed timeline of events. The indictment handed down by a New York grand jury established that Melendez was 24 years old when he was killed in an apartment conflict involving Alig and Riggs over unpaid debts and drug-related disputes.
Legal and Court Documentation
Throughout the trial and subsequent legal proceedings in 1997, state documentation maintained rigorous accuracy regarding Melendez’s identity. Court records from the Supreme Court of the State of New York detailed the criminal charges against Michael Alig and Robert Riggs, both of whom eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
In legal archives, Melendez’s birth date of May 1, 1971, serves as the baseline for all official filings. Prosecutors used his verified age and personal history to counter defense narratives that attempted to obscure his identity or minimize his presence within the city. The legal records explicitly detailed:
- Identification Verification: The formal link between the Staten Island John Doe findings and Andre Melendez’s official state identity documents.
- Timeline Construction: Establishing that Melendez was 24 years of age at the time of his disappearance on March 17, 1996.
- Financial and Employment Context: Documenting his employment history across New York venues such as the Limelight and the Tunnel, establishing his financial dealings with club management.
Media outlets covering the trial, including The New York Times, The Village Voice, and local television news stations, relied on these official court disclosures to correct early reporting errors regarding his age, background, and origin. Early rumors within the club scene had contained conflicting reports about his age and background; however, the unsealing of state documents permanently fixed his birth date as May 1, 1971.
Cultural Impact and Historical Archiving
The life and tragic death of Andre Melendez have been documented extensively in true crime literature, documentary films, and pop culture histories focusing on 1990s New York City. James St. James’s 1999 memoir, Disco Bloodbath (later republished as Party Monster), along with the 2003 feature film adaptation, brought national attention to the case.
In these narrative retellings, Melendez is frequently depicted through the lens of his party persona, "Angel." However, biographical archives, crime registries, and modern historical evaluations maintain a strict focus on documented facts. Historical archives maintained by law enforcement databases and legal research institutions categorize the case under his legal name and recorded birth date.
Researchers and journalists examining the era frequently analyze how the club culture of the 1990s allowed young individuals to construct secondary identities. Melendez’s case highlighted the stark contrast between informal nightlife personas and the legal structures required to investigate serious crimes. While his social circle knew him through his vibrant presence in Manhattan clubs, official identification required standard vital records—birth certificates, immigration papers, and dental records—to establish truth in a court of law.
Methodological Summary for Verification
For researchers, journalists, and historians seeking to verify vital details regarding Andre Melendez, multiple primary and reputable secondary sources exist within public domains:
- New York State Court Archives: Grand jury indictments, plea agreements, and sentencing records from 1997 record full vital details, including name, birth date, and confirmed date of death.
- New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME): Forensic identification files from late 1996 confirming the positive match of the Staten Island remains.
- Contemporary News Reports: Investigative pieces published in late 1996 and early 1997 by major publications (The New York Times, The Village Voice) drawing directly from NYPD press releases and district attorney briefings.
- Immigration and Naturalization Records: Historical entries documenting his family's move from Colombia to Queens, New York during his childhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Andre Melendez’s official recorded birth date?
Andre Melendez’s officially recorded birth date is May 1, 1971. This date is confirmed across state court records, police filings, and vital statistics documents.
How old was Andre Melendez when he died?
Melendez was 24 years old when he died on March 17, 1996. Because his remains were not formally identified until months after his death, early news reports occasionally contained minor inaccuracies regarding his age until official records confirmed his May 1971 birth date.
Where was Andre Melendez born?
Andre Melendez was born in Ciénaga, Colombia. He moved to the United States with his family during childhood and grew up in Queens, New York, before becoming active in the Manhattan nightlife scene.
Why was there initial confusion regarding his identity and age?
In the 1990s NYC Club Kid subculture, many participants used pseudonyms and adopted theatrical personas, obscuring their personal backgrounds. Additionally, when his body was discovered in Staten Island in April 1996, it remained unidentified as a John Doe until forensic teams matched medical and dental records late in the year.
What legal documents confirm his birth date and death?
His birth date and details are recorded in filings from the Supreme Court of the State of New York (County of New York), police reports generated by the NYPD during the 1996 investigation, and official autopsy findings released by the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner.
Key Takeaways for Historical Researchers
When compiling historical or biographical information regarding figures from the 1990s Club Kid era, relying on official primary documentation is essential. Informal accounts and memoirs often prioritize narrative elements over factual precision, leading to discrepancies in ages, dates, and locations.
For definitive research on Andre Melendez:
- Cross-reference personal memoirs with official court transcriptions and law enforcement press statements.
- Rely on verified vital statistics (May 1, 1971 birth date; March 17, 1996 date of death).
- Distinguish between informal club nicknames ("Angel") and legal documentation ("Andre Melendez") when searching public archives or legal databases.
