Born in Haiti and adopted at a very young age before being raised in Angers, France, Matéo Lesguer—known to audiences under the stage name Neoshy—was only twenty-three years old when his life was tragically cut short during the horrific New Year’s Eve bar fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. On the night between December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, what should have been a celebration of music, joy, and the beginning of a new year turned into one of the deadliest nightclub disasters Europe has seen in recent years. The fire claimed forty lives and left one hundred and sixteen people injured, weaving a tapestry of grief that crossed borders, languages, and communities. Among those who perished was the young DJ who had been standing behind his turntables, fully immersed in the craft he loved.
Neoshy’s journey began in Haiti, a country marked by resilience and struggle, yet rich with culture and rhythm. His earliest years there were brief, as he was adopted and brought to France where he grew up surrounded by stability and opportunities that allowed his talents to flourish. Raised in the city of Angers, he developed into a gentle, curious child who quickly found passion in music. It was in France that he discovered the world of electronic sound. He spent hours experimenting with mixing techniques, layering beats, and shaping melodies with determination that impressed those around him. As he grew older, what began as a hobby transformed into a defining part of his identity. With the creation of his stage persona, “Neoshy,” his ambitions found direction, and he started performing in local clubs and events, gaining recognition for the emotional depth and energy he brought to every set.
By late 2025, the young DJ was stepping into a broader European scene, catching the attention of event organizers who noticed his talent and professionalism. When he secured his New Year’s Eve booking in Crans-Montana, it felt like an important milestone—an opportunity to play in a world-renowned resort town during one of the busiest nights of the year. The venue was filled with tourists, locals, and music lovers ready to celebrate the final hours of 2025. The atmosphere was electric as people danced, laughed, and embraced the joy of the moment. Behind his decks, Neoshy was doing what he did best—creating the soundtrack to an unforgettable night.
But in mere minutes, everything collapsed into chaos. At some point during the celebration, smoke was noticed inside the bar. Flames spread with terrifying speed, feeding on the structure and overwhelming the room with thick, suffocating fumes. Panic rose as visibility dropped and guests fought to find exits through the crush of bodies and the growing heat. Survivors later described scenes of confusion, frantic shouts, and the disorienting darkness caused by smoke. Firefighters rushed to the location, but the blaze had intensified rapidly, trapping many inside.
By the time emergency teams contained the fire, the scale of the devastation was undeniable. Forty lives were lost, and more than a hundred people suffered injuries ranging from burns to severe smoke inhalation. The days that followed were dominated by rescue efforts, body identification, and the heartbreak of families awaiting news. For the loved ones of Matéo Lesguer, uncertainty stretched painfully until January 4, when his identity was formally confirmed. It was a message no family should ever have to receive: their son, their brother, their friend—the young man whose life had crossed oceans and cultures—was gone.
The confirmation sent ripples of grief through Angers, where those who watched him grow could hardly comprehend the loss. Musicians and DJs who had shared stages with him expressed shock, remembering him not only for his musical skill but also for his kindness and humility. Fans posted memories of his performances, sharing videos and fragments of sets he had played in small but vibrant venues. In Haiti, where his story had long been admired, his death was felt as a painful reminder of how far life had carried him—and how suddenly it had been taken away.
Across Europe, discussions about nightclub safety resurfaced, with the Crans-Montana disaster serving as a grim example of how quickly tragedy can unfold. Investigators worked to determine the cause of the fire, while families of the victims struggled to piece together lives shattered by loss. In the midst of all these larger questions, the story of Neoshy stood out as one of the most heartbreaking individual narratives. He represented not only a life lost too soon, but a life that had moved across continents, cultures, and dreams. Born in one world, raised in another, and striving toward a future that was still unfolding.
What remains now is memory: the memory of a young man who dedicated himself to music, who transformed rooms with his sound, who embraced the opportunities given to him after a childhood shaped by transitions and new beginnings. His death serves as a brutal reminder of the fragility of life, especially in spaces meant for joy and celebration. Yet his life—though brief—carries weight. It carried the heartbeat of Haiti, the discipline of France, the creativity of youth, and the promise of a rising artist whose path was just beginning to open.
The tragedy of Crans-Montana will be studied, remembered, and mourned for years. But within the overwhelming numbers—forty dead, one hundred and sixteen injured—each victim had a story. Neoshy’s story is one of them. A story of beginnings, of movement, of music, of ambition, and of a night that ended in silence. For his family, friends, and fans, he remains far more than a statistic. He remains a symbol of passion, of resilience, and of a future that should have been longer. He leaves behind beats, memories, and a legacy defined not by how he died, but by everything he created while he lived.
