Valeria Marquez, a 23-year-old Mexican influencer, was fatally shot during a TikTok livestream at her beauty salon in Guadalajara. The case is being investigated under femicide protocols amid rising concerns over gender violence in Mexico. Marquez previously hinted at possible danger before her death, which is part of a disturbing trend in the region.
Valeria Marquez, a 23-year-old influencer from Mexico, was tragically shot and killed while livestreaming on TikTok on Tuesday. The incident occurred in her beauty salon, Blossom The Beauty Lounge, located in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Marquez, who had a substantial following of over 113,000 on TikTok, was engaging with viewers when the shocking attack took place.
During her livestream, Marquez reportedly sat at a table with a stuffed pink pig toy, saying, “He is coming” shortly before the violence unfolded. Just moments later, a man’s voice was heard in the background asking, “Hi, are you Valeria?” After confirming her identity, she quickly turned off her microphone. Seconds later, she was shot in an attack that would later show her collapsing in her chair.
The Jalisco state prosecutor’s office has indicated that the case is being looked at under femicide protocols, which apply in cases where a woman is murdered specifically due to her gender. This tragic event marks the eighth femicide in Jalisco this month, adding to the alarming statistics surrounding violence against women in the region.
Just before the fatal incident, Marquez expressed concerns during her livestream, hinting at potential danger. She recounted a phone call with a person named Erika who mentioned a suspicious delivery. “I said, ‘Oh, I’ll be there in about an hour,’ and the delivery guy said, ‘I’d better wait for her because it’s really expensive,’” she explained. The identity of Erika and the nature of the delivery remains unclear, but it raised suspicions about possible motives behind the shooting.
Marquez was known for her aesthetic and lifestyle content, having built a career as a beauty influencer. She launched her salon in Zapopan in 2024 and gained a loyal following by sharing personal moments and beauty tips. In 2021, she was crowned Miss Rostro, a local beauty title that further established her presence in the beauty community.
According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mexico’s femicide rates are alarmingly high, with the country ranking fourth in the region. Reports show that approximately 10 women or girls are murdered daily in Mexico. “Femicide is the worst thing”, stated Zapopan Mayor Juan Jose Frangie. He emphasized that there had been no prior indications of Marquez facing any threats.
This killing has surfaced just days before a similar incident where another woman, a mayoral candidate in Veracruz, was shot during her own livestream. President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed concern regarding the ongoing violence but noted that she has yet to receive specifics about a potential motive in Marquez’s case.
Valeria Marquez’s tragic death during a livestream has sparked outrage and concern regarding violence against women in Mexico. As authorities investigate the femicide, the incident adds to the troubling statistics regarding women’s safety in the country. With rising femicide rates and previous warnings from Marquez, the public is gravely affected by yet another case of gender-based violence.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
