Valeria Márquez, a prominent social media influencer in Mexico known for her beauty and modeling content, was tragically shot and killed during a livestream session at a beauty salon in Jalisco, Fox News reported.
This deadly attack is being investigated as femicide, with authorities focused on uncovering the identity and motive of the assailants.
Márquez, who had amassed over 113,000 followers on TikTok, was livestreaming from the salon when the shooting occurred. Eyewitnesses reported that a masked gunman entered the salon and fatally shot Márquez in the head and chest before fleeing the scene on a motorbike with another individual. Just hours before the attack, Márquez had expressed concerns about two men who approached her with mention of an expensive gift.
The men reportedly returned to the salon later that day, confirming Márquez's presence before the tragic attack unfolded. This incident is particularly alarming in Jalisco, a region heavily affected by cartel violence, where such attacks are disturbingly frequent. Local authorities have noted that the attackers might have been hired by individuals with parallel criminal interests.
Denis Rodríguez, a spokesperson for the Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office, explained that the manner in which the gunman inquired about Márquez's presence at the salon suggests he was not personally acquainted with her. Rodríguez indicated that this detail leads authorities to believe the aggressors were likely compensated to carry out the attack. In a statement, the region's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, expressed condolences to Márquez's family and assured that the security cabinet and prosecutor's office are working diligently to pursue the investigation.
Sheinbaum's public address underscored the severity of the incident and called for community solidarity. "We are working to find those responsible and determine the motive behind this situation," she said, while extending solidarity to the grieving family. Márquez's murder is being pursued rigorously, as both a violent crime and a socially motivated offense under Mexican femicide statutes.
Interestingly, this murder holds potential ties to another violent episode that occurred nearby earlier in the day: the assassination of a former congressman. The proximity and timing have led investigators to contemplate whether these attacks might share a common motive or instigator. Jalisco has ranked alarmingly high in its homicide rate, where 909 homicides have been reported since October 2024, exacerbating concerns about public safety in the state.
In discussing Márquez's murder, authorities have noted the prevalence of motorcycle-based assassinations, a mode frequently leveraged by gangs for rapid, targeted executions. This deadly technique aligns with tactics historically employed by groups such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, raising further concerns over organized crime activity within the region.
The digital and local community where Márquez was active has been left in a state of shock and mourning following her untimely death. As the investigation proceeds, social media platforms have witnessed an outpouring of grief and support for her family, as well as demands for justice.
The solemn atmosphere was palpably felt during Márquez’s funeral, which took place on the Thursday following her murder. Friends, family, and supporters gathered to remember the young influencer, whose life and career were prematurely cut short.
This tragic loss calls attention to the broader issue of femicide in Mexico, with Márquez’s story amplifying these concerns on an international scale. Her death not only reverberates across digital networks but also raises pressing questions about safety and justice for women in regions affected by endemic violence. Mexican authorities remain resolute in their quest for answers, vowing to hold accountable those responsible for this devastating act.
