Tragic Killing of Influencer During Livestream Sparks Outrage in Mexico

Valeria Marquez's tragic death, captured live, exposes the pressing need for action against femicide in the country.

In a heartbreaking incident, 23-year-old Valeria Marquez, a popular beauty influencer with a substantial following of 200,000 on TikTok and Instagram, was shot dead while livestreaming from her beauty salon in Guadalajara. The Jalisco state prosecutor's office reported that a male assailant entered her salon and opened fire. Authorities are treating the case as a femicide, emphasizing the alarming rate of gender-based violence in Mexico, where an estimated 10 women are murdered daily by intimate partners or family members.

Moments before her untimely death, Marquez was engaging with her audience while holding a stuffed toy, a stark contrast to the horror that ensued when the shot rang out. Eyewitness accounts suggest the shooter approached her under the guise of delivering a gift, further complicating the incident. Local media stated that the livestream ended abruptly when a bystander picked up her phone to stop the video. The police were called to the scene shortly after the shooting occurred at approximately 6:30 PM local time, and although they confirmed her death, they have yet to name a suspect.

Marquez's death sent shockwaves through her fanbase, with many expressing their grief and outrage on social media. Zapopan's Mayor, Juan José Frangie, stated that no prior requests for assistance had been made by Marquez concerning threats she may have received, calling femicide "the worst thing." Meanwhile, forensic teams are diligently working to investigate the events surrounding the shooting, drawing attention to the urgent need for reforms to address the epidemic of violence against women in Mexico.