23-year-old Mexican model and social media influencer Valeria Marquez was { } shot executed at her beauty parlor, Blossom The Beauty Lounge, in Zapopan, Jalisco. This unimaginable tragedy unfolded as she was live streaming on TikTok. The same day, former congressman Luis Armando Córdoba Díaz was killed only two kilometers away. This disturbing event further highlighted the growing violence in the area and spurred outrage. Marquez has drawn national attention to her cause ever since winning the Miss Rostro beauty pageant back in 2021. From YouTube to Instagram, she has gained more than 223,000 followers on Instagram and 100,000 on TikTok.
Marquez’s tragic death has prompted an investigation led by the Jalisco prosecutor’s office, which has stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest that organized crime groups were involved in her murder. Local officials insisted on carrying out the investigation under the protocol for femicide. This process requires them to include a gender-based analysis at every step of the inquiry. “All statements and clues, including videos and social media posts, are being analysed,” the prosecutor’s office noted.
One of the catalyzing factors for the current crashing period was the increasing concern over the violence in Jalisco. Of all of Mexico’s 32 states, it has the sixth highest rate of homicides. Since her election and taking office in October 2024, there have been 906 murders recorded. In recent years, the U.S. Department of Justice reported that the area in which Marquez was killed had become a primary hub for drug trafficking. According to them, more than 90% of their local real estate and commercial development has ties back to money laundering operations.
Despite her growing fame and influence, Mayor Juan José Frangie of Zapopan confirmed that there was no record of Marquez seeking assistance from the authorities regarding any threats she might have faced. He raised alarm about the ongoing femicides of women in the region. “Whether it is a femicide, that is the worst case scenario,” as Frangie said.
Marquez’s death is a tragedy that has affected the community of San Juan deeply. It took place a mere 48 hours after the murder of former mayoral candidate Yesenia Lara Gutiérrez, eliciting demand for immediate safety measures to be taken in the area.
In her last social media posts, Marquez had talked about feeling unsafe, especially to her ex, whom she had broken up with for similar reasons. “Why didn’t he just drop it off (the gift)? Were they going to pick me up (kidnap me) or what?” she questioned in a recent video, revealing her apprehensions about potential threats.
President Claudia Sheinbaum and local officials are under fire. Their response to the alarming uptick in violence against women is subject to review as this story continues to develop. Jalisco’s governor has pledged to provide whatever resources are needed. He reasserts his commitment to ensure a full investigation into Marquez’s killing.
Leave a Reply