Additional Coverage:
Tragedy Strikes Mexican Influencer During Livestream
A popular Mexican beauty influencer, Valeria Marquez, was tragically shot and killed during a live broadcast to her TikTok followers. The 23-year-old was in her Zapopan salon when she momentarily left the stream to receive a delivered package. Returning to view, Marquez unwrapped a stuffed animal, a seemingly innocent moment that preceded the sudden violence.
Authorities in Jalisco state are investigating the incident as a suspected femicide, the gender-based killing of a woman or girl. The shocking footage reportedly captured the moments leading up to her death and the immediate aftermath, ending only when another individual picked up the phone.
Marquez’s death, given her public profile with over 100,000 Instagram followers, has resonated deeply in Mexico, a nation grappling with high rates of homicide and violence against women. This tragedy comes just days after another woman, a mayoral candidate in Veracruz state, was also fatally shot during a livestream.
While not all homicides of women are classified as femicides, a significant portion are. According to official figures, Mexico saw 847 reported femicides in 2022, with 162 cases already reported in the first three months of this year.
Human rights organizations highlight the urgent need for improved investigative capacity and better protection for witnesses and victims in these cases. They point to a low prosecution rate in homicide cases as a major obstacle in addressing this pervasive violence.