Live-streamed death is sadly not new. But that doesn’t make it any less shocking. In this case, the tragic death of Mexican influencer Valeria Márquez has shaken thousands of people on social media. Her case stands out not only because of the brutality of the crime but also because it was broadcast live as it happened. At just 23 years old, this young entrepreneur and content creator was shot at point-blank range inside her beauty salon in Zapopan, Jalisco.
ALSO READ. Who was Valeria Márquez, the influencer murdered in Mexico? Causes of the attack, career, and net worth
Who was Valeria Márquez and why was she popular on social media?
Valeria Márquez was an influencer from Jalisco with nearly 100,000 followers on TikTok and over 73,000 on Instagram. She owned a beauty salon called “Blosson the Beauty Lounge” located in Plaza Santa María, Zapopan. Her content focused on beauty routines, lifestyle, and personal moments.
She modeled for various brands, including medical uniforms, clothing, boutiques, and music videos; she was also the winner of the Miss Rostro 2021 beauty pageant.
In her videos, she appeared charismatic and approachable with her followers, which helped build a strong online community. However, in her final posts, she hinted that something was troubling her: “Were they going to kidnap me or what?”; shortly after, she appeared visibly worried. “Maybe they were going to kill me,” she said in her last post, before a hitman ended her life.
How did the murder of Valeria Márquez happen?
The tragedy occurred Monday evening, around 6:30 p.m., when an armed man entered her beauty salon pretending to be a deliveryman. He asked for Valeria and, upon identifying her, shot her at point-blank range.
Although the person who was with her stopped the live stream, the video and images quickly went viral, sparking a wave of comments and theories about the case.
What have Mexican authorities said about the murder?
The Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office announced that an investigation had been opened under the protocol for femicide. “The victim was a person with an active presence and influence on social media,” the official statement explained.
Forensic experts from the Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences removed the body and collected evidence at the scene. The young woman showed no signs of life when paramedics arrived. According to witnesses, clients in the salon ran for cover during the shooting.
Although the Prosecutor’s Office has not publicly confirmed the motive for the crime, they are analyzing witness statements, security footage, and the victim’s recent posts. “The scene is being processed, with evidence being fixed and collected,” stated the agency.
Valeria Márquez’s live-streamed death is not the first to occur on a social media platform, but it is one of the most shocking in Mexico. Within minutes, her videos were reposted by hundreds of users—some expressing empathy, others questioning the safety of influencers.
As of early Wednesday morning, Valeria Márquez’s body remained at the Forensic Medical Service facilities, awaiting to be claimed by her family. The Prosecutor’s Office continues its investigation and has vowed to clarify the crime and bring those responsible to justice.
