"Two large photographs immediately catch the eye in the tiny living room of his immaculately tidy house: they show a smiling Javier Valdez", writes Jennifer Gonzalez, who is based in Mexico city.

"But the mood quickly turns dark. Two thick red candles flank the photos, in mournful salute. Nothing will ever be the same after the murder Monday of this bold and enterprising journalist in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state in northwestern Mexico."