Abraham Quintanilla Jr., Selena's Father, Dies at 86

Abraham Quintanilla Jr., the father and longtime manager of Tejano music superstar Selena Quintanilla, died on Saturday at the age of 86 in Texas.

His son, Abraham "A.B." Quintanilla III, announced the death on Instagram, writing, "It's with a heavy heart to let you guys know that my Dad passed away today." The family has not disclosed the cause of death, though officials with the Nueces County Medical Examiner reported no evidence of trauma or foul play.

Born on February 22, 1939, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Quintanilla began his music career as a teenager, forming his first band, the Gumdrops, at age 14. He later performed with a group called Los Dinos in the 1950s and early 1960s. After serving in the U.S. Army, where he met his wife, Marcella Samora, Quintanilla married her in June 1963. The couple settled in Texas, and Marcella gave birth to their daughter Selena in April 1971.

Quintanilla recognized Selena's vocal talent early on, as she sang alongside her brother A.B., who played guitar. He soon involved their daughter Suzette on drums and reformed the family band as Selena y Los Dinos, with himself as manager. The group signed its first record deal in 1984, marking the...