Beyonce’s ‘rapper cousin’ Martell Derouen shot dead at Texas apartment

Friends and fans are paying tribute to a budding rapper – who is said to be the cousin of Beyonce – after he was murdered in Texas.

Budding rapper Martell Derouen, 34, was reportedly found dead in his apartment in San Antonio on Tuesday.

According to local reports, Derouen is the cousin of the iconic singer Beyoncé.

Derouen also had a blossoming rap career under his stage name “Kardone”.

Cops are now searching for 21-year-old Sasha Skare, who they believe is the suspect of the crime, KSAT reported.

The outlet said that there is an active murder warrant out for Skare.

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Beyonce’s “rapper cousin” was shot dead. Picture: Facebook

Friends and fans of Derouen flocked to social media to pay tribute to the budding artist.

“Kardone was one of those ones who rose and shine bright, brighter than, you know, some of those that was in the room with him,” Brian Mitchell, who owns Fyngermade Studio, told KSAT.

“He was just a real subtle dude, quiet.”

Mr Mitchell also told the outlet that he never used to name-drop that he was supposedly related to Beyoncé.

Derouen never used to name-drop that he was supposedly related to Beyoncé. Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP

“That’s not even something he would even mention to people,” he said.

“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.”

He added that the alleged killing was “like hurting a butterfly”, and said he “couldn’t believe it.”

Derouen’s wife reportedly told the outlet that her husband “didn’t deserve this” in a text message.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and has been reproduced with permission