Mexican influencer Valeria Marquez was shot and killed during a live TikTok stream from her beauty salon in Guadalajara. The incident is being investigated as a femicide amidst a spike in violence against women in Mexico. Marquez hinted at threats prior to the attack, and her murder underscores the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence in the country.
Valeria Marquez, a 23-year-old influencer from Mexico, was tragically shot and killed while live-streaming on TikTok from her beauty salon in Guadalajara on Tuesday. Marquez, who had gathered a following of over 113,000 viewers on the platform, was in the middle of a broadcast when the harrowing attack took place at her business, Blossom The Beauty Lounge.
During the live video, Marquez was seen holding a stuffed pink pig toy, casually chatting with her viewers. However, the tone shifted suddenly when a male voice inquired, “Hi, are you Valeria?” to which she responded affirmatively. Moments later, she unexpectedly turned off her microphone, only to be shot just seconds after, as the assailant fled the scene on a motorbike. Disturbingly, she appeared to collapse in front of her audience, visibly clutching her chest and abdomen after being hit.
Before the fatal attack, Marquez hinted at potential threats against her life. She mentioned receiving an ambiguous call from someone named Erika who talked about delivering something to her. “Dude, they might’ve been about to kill me,” she said during the live stream, expressing unease concerning the situation. This troubling context has raised questions about the motive behind her murder.
Currently, authorities are treating this case under femicide protocols, which apply when a woman is killed because of her gender. As reported, Marquez’s death has added to an alarming trend in Jalisco, which has already recorded eight femicides this month alone. This tragic incident comes amid rising violence against women in Mexico, where the femicide rate is alarmingly high.
Marquez was not just a social media star; she also owned her beauty salon and was known for sharing lifestyle tips and personal stories with her followers. In 2021, she gained further fame after winning a local beauty contest, Miss Rostro. Her connection to her audience resonated deeply, and her sudden death has left many of her fans in shock.
The situation concerning femicides in Mexico remains dire, with the country holding the fourth-highest rate in Latin America, and Jalisco is also facing a rising homicide rate. Around ten women or girls are murdered daily across Mexico. Despite these frightening statistics, Mayor Juan Jose Frangie of Zapopan stated that there was no record of Marquez having reported any threats to authorities.
This killing occurred just days before another tragic incident where a mayoral candidate was shot during a live stream. President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a statement, but no significant motive for Marquez’s killing has been established yet. The community is left grappling with this senseless act of violence, and those who knew her mourn the loss of a vibrant young life cut short.
Valeria Marquez’s shocking murder while live-streaming raises serious concerns about violence against women in Mexico. The case is being investigated under femicide protocols, as it reflects a growing epidemic of gender-based violence in the country. Marquez’s vibrant social media presence and her tragic death have highlighted the perilous situation many women face. With calls for justice growing louder, the community is left in grief and disbelief over her untimely demise.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
