A 23-year-old Mexican social media influencer was shot dead during a livestream on TikTok, sparking outrage and fueling concerns about the growing violence against women in Mexico.
Valeria Márquez, who had over 113,000 followers, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds at her beauty salon in Guadalajara. According to prosecutors, a masked man posing as a delivery driver arrived at the salon hours before the shooting, accompanied by another man on a motorcycle.
The men claimed to have brought a “very expensive” gift for Márquez, but when she expressed fear and asked who was looking for her, they became suspicious. The incident suggests that Márquez may have been targeted specifically.
Márquez’s livestream showed her receiving the gift, which included a stuffed animal and a bag of Starbucks coffee, before being shot in the head and chest. TikTok has since taken down her account.
Mexican authorities are investigating the killing, which is believed to be connected to organized crime. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the most powerful cartels in Mexico, has been accused of using fake job advertisements to lure new members and torturing and killing recruits who resist.
The murder highlights the growing violence against women in Mexico, with 70% of women experiencing some form of assault at least once in their lives. The country’s femicide epidemic has claimed over 50,000 women’s lives since 2001, with few perpetrators brought to justice.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/influencer-killed-livestream-valeria-marquez-fear-mexico-prosecutors