Hey everyone, I have some unfortunate news to share. I just learned that Francisco Munguía Villalta, better known as @Munguia here on NG, has passed away.

Francisco joined NG in 2013 and has a celebrated history here. He showed up with his own signature art style and became prolific in the games space, with his Paintings Parody series (always a great source of medals) and more recent favorites like Straight Outta Pixels and Fun With Flags, for Pixel Day 2020.

The most rewarding part of following Francisco on NG was seeing his mural work in Costa Rica, such as the SOS Children Village Mura, Giant of the Rooftops in Cristo Rey and Children Rights mural at the PANI office for national child welfare. Be sure to take some time to read his news posts from over the years and play some of his games.

Francisco’s passing has come as a shock to the people of Costa Rica, where both the Ministry of Culture and Youth and the Municipality of San José have released statements mourning the country's loss. You can read more in this CRHoy article and find additional reporting in Nacion.

I’m gonna miss seeing Francisco here on NG. His legacy will always be a positive example for us to follow.

I remember joining the site and seeing all his work, it was always refreshing to see his stuff. It gave this surreal yet utterly alluring aura to it. It's amazing to know he was so involved in the community, here, and where he lived.

Always hate finding about cool artists once they've gone...

Their murals seem really amazing and it's awesome how many people admired his work. R.I.P

I only recently started playing his games. It seems like he just posted one not too long ago. I had no clue that the art in his games were his own murals. It makes sense, but I just never made the connection.

Do we know what happened? I didnt catch it in the article.

I don’t know the cause, my mind goes to covid but only speculating.

Yeah, that's exactly where my mind went too.

RIP brother, I'll fill my work breaks with your games in your honor. I hope the best for your friends and family.

Rest in peace.

I've unfortunately never heard or seen of Munguia until now, and it leaves me a tad upset knowing I've missed out on them. I'm playing their Famous Paintings Parodies game, and the parody work is funny. I was feelin' a bit down earlier, and seeing that someone in the world thought of these is really interesting, and fun to look at. I like what they've done in their time, and they have a legacy to be looked at that won't fade anytime soon, and I'd hope they won't be forgotten.

This is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful artist. May he rest in peace.

God dammit.. :( Sad news indeed what ever it was that caused this, shall not forget. He uploaded new games like a month a go, several this year alone, suddenly gone. I've actually learned a fair bit of famous painters while playing his paintings parodies trying to get some medals, educational while original. R.I.P.

Holy shit, this is a horrible shock. Munguia was one of the most talented, creative contributors this site has ever had.

Fuck, I have no idea how to process this.

Godspeed, Francisco. You will be missed.

This breaks my heart to hear. A truly inspirational human being; may his legacy never fade.

Aw, i recognise his icon. Might've played one of his games. RIP, man. Has info been released on how he died? Might be too soon to tell.

It quite rough to see one of the talent artist passed away. I haven't heard from him till now and he got some real mad talent I will say.

I glad we have community that look out to each other.

Rest in Peace.

Aww that sucks, he had some seriously solid work and I feel like was just taking off even more.

RIP. Thank you for all that you created.

Ah, it always feels weird when a Newgrounder passes. I enjoyed your content Munguia, may you rest in peace

Enjoy your life one day at a time because you never know when it is your last day here on Earth.

Oh my God.

This is terrible, I've enjoyed so much of his content. His art and games were a unique milestone for Newgrounds. The laughs you get from his parodies to the tenderhearted loving posts and art he makes. He was truly a great treasure and has spread so much love and joy with his work, a real inspiration to other artists on this site and others. He will be dearly missed here, that's for sure.

Rest in peace, Francisco Munguía Villalta. It was so great having you here.

I remember him from the famous painting parodies games. RIP, gone too sudden and too soon :(

Thanks a lot for the post Tom, it is a beautiful tribute in his memory. Some people have been asking for his cause of death and at the moment there is no information on it as the Ministry of Culture and Youth normally doesn't reveal it at first so that the population focuses more on remembering his legacy and to let the family mourn the death in privacy the first days. I don't think it is covid as at the moment we only had 2 covid related deaths (both 80+years old) in the country but if that information changes on tomorrow report I will mention it. Also if my country makes something in his memory I will share it to this community as I know that a lot of you as I did followed and admired his different projects.

It hurts when someone passes so early. It hurts even more when someone so talented is snatched by death. May he rest in peace in the better place where all the talents go.

Damn, i used to play his games and get the medals, well everyone has to die one day but it shouldn't be at 43/44

That's some sad news! I remember playing his Famous Paintings games and stumbling on his murals which left me awestruck. That's quite a body of work on Newgrounds alone. I had no idea he was this active still.

This is really sad. I didn't realize the guy who made a fun game like straight outta pixels would also be making such magnificent murals and doing such important work. I also didn't realize he made the flag game,that and straight outta pixels probably took a few good hours from me and the flag game was really fun and you learned from it, something I always wish I got more out of games. Hopefully his family is doing alright especially with this added to everything going on in the world now

Pura vida for taking the time to bring this to the attention of the Newgrounds Community!

This is sad, and we definitely lost someone who had a great future ahead of himself!

Thanks from a Newgrounder in Costa Rica!

I'm so sorry to hear that. I always really appreciated Munguia's art history jokes and how they would function as humor across language barriers- dang, plus such lovely murals and what a neat pop-art approach to cubism. What a loss to the world.

Rest in peace Munguia.

A creator with a unique style and sense of humor.

Will be missed for sure.

Adiós Munguía.

I've basically been following and admiring his work even since I got here, what I great artist.

He will be missed.