Mexican Beauty Influencer Shot Dead During TikTok Livestream

A 23-year-old Mexican Beauty and social media influencer, Valeria Marquez, was shot dead while live streaming on TikTok at her beauty salon in Zapopan, Jalisco state. Marquez, who had nearly 200,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram, was known for her videos about beauty and makeup. The Jalisco state prosecutor’s office confirmed that Marquez was killed when a man entered her salon and “apparently fired a gun at her”. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but the case is being investigated as a femicide, which refers to the killing of women or girls because of their gender.

Moments Leading Up to the Tragedy

Moments before her death, Marquez was seen on her TikTok livestream seated at a table clutching a stuffed toy. She was heard saying, “they’re coming,” before a voice in the background asked, “Hey, Vale?” Marquez replied, “Yes,” just before muting the sound on the livestream. Seconds later, she was shot dead. A person appeared to pick up her phone, with their face briefly showing on the livestream before the video ended. Local media reports suggest the assailant posed as someone delivering a gift, with Marquez mentioning earlier on the livestream that someone had come to the salon with an “expensive gift” to deliver to her.

Investigation and Response

The police arrived at the scene around 18:30 local time (12:30 GMT) and confirmed Marquez’s death. Forensic experts are investigating the shooting, and no suspects have been named. Mayor of Zapopan Juan José Frangie expressed his sorrow over the killing, stating that his office had no record of Marquez requesting help due to threats against her. “A femicide is the worst thing,” he told AFP.

Gender-Based Violence in Mexico

Marquez’s death has sparked widespread outrage and concern about gender-based violence in Mexico, where the UN reports that around 10 women or girls are murdered every day, often by intimate partners or family members. Mexico is tied with Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia as the countries with the fourth-highest rates of femicide in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Jalisco state prosecutor’s office is treating Marquez’s death as a possible case of femicide, highlighting the need for stronger protections for women in the country.