The world watched in horror as 23-year-old TikTok star Valeria Marquez was brazenly murdered during a livestream inside her workplace, Blossom The Beauty Lounge, in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Valeria Marquez was interacting with fans when a man entered the salon and shot her at point-blank range.
According to the Jalisco Prosecutor’s Office, the suspect fired three rounds—fatally striking Valeria Marquez in the chest and head. The young beauty influencer collapsed mid-broadcast, while another woman quickly grabbed her phone and turned off the livestream. Paramedics arrived shortly after but found her dead at the scene.
Footage from the livestream captured her last moments, including a haunting conversation with someone off-camera just seconds before the shooting. She responded to a voice calling “Hey, Vale?” with “Yes,” and within moments, gunshots rang out.
Ominous Signs: A Gift, a Warning, and a Prediction
In what now appears to be a tragic premonition, Valeria Marquez hinted earlier that day that something felt off. In her final video, she revealed that someone had come by the salon earlier with an “expensive gift” while she was away. “Dude, maybe they were going to kill me,” she said in a moment of eerie foreshadowing.
She described receiving flowers and a stuffed animal before learning about a third item the visitor intended to bring in person. The delivery person reportedly insisted on waiting for her, raising red flags that Valeria Marquez shared with her viewers. “Who’s going to give me something?” she asked with visible unease. Al Jazeera reported that she had been warned by a friend named Erika about the visitor’s arrival.
Valeria Marquez later mentioned a “mystery man” who had come to pick her up, though his face was never shown. She appeared visibly upset, saying she didn’t want to wait for him and considered leaving. Her fears tragically materialized within the hour.
Suspected Cartel Connection and Security Cabinet Probe
While the killer’s identity has not been officially confirmed, reports from Infobae suggest the possible involvement of an alleged member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The unnamed cartel leader was rumored to have been in a romantic relationship with Valeria Marquez, though investigators have yet to include any names in the official case file.
President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the incident on Thursday, confirming that Mexico’s top security cabinet is investigating the case. “An investigation is under way to first find those responsible and the motive behind this situation,” Sheinbaum said. “Our solidarity goes out to her family.”
Authorities have classified the killing as a potential femicide, a crime rooted in gender-based violence, which remains a pressing concern in Mexico. More than 3,000 women are murdered annually in the country, many under similar circumstances of public brutality.
Valeria Marquez’s death:A Disturbing Trend of Violence Against Women and Influencers
Valeria Marquez’s death echoes a disturbing pattern of targeted violence against women, particularly those with a public profile. Just days before her murder, a female mayoral candidate in Veracruz was gunned down during a Facebook livestream—an incident that left three others dead.
The boldness of these murders, carried out in broad daylight and broadcast in real-time, underscores the deepening crisis of violence in Mexico. Social media platforms, once spaces for empowerment and self-expression, are now becoming stages for public executions.
Global News described the slaying as a “brazen killing which has sent shockwaves through Mexico,” capturing the nation’s growing fear over escalating violence against women and social media personalities.
A Nation in Mourning as Justice Is Demanded
Valeria Marquez, known for her beauty and makeup tutorials, had garnered a substantial following on TikTok for her vibrant personality and beauty expertise. Her fans, family, and fellow influencers are mourning the loss of a young woman whose life was cut short in front of thousands.
Candles and flowers now surround the entrance to Blossom The Beauty Lounge, where mourners have gathered to pay tribute. Messages of grief and calls for justice flood her social media pages, demanding that authorities act swiftly to arrest her killer.
The Zapopan prosecutor’s office has vowed to leave no stone unturned, but as investigations unfold, Mexico is once again forced to confront its deadly epidemic of femicide—this time played out in chilling detail for the world to see
