The Tragic Death of Beauty Influencer Valeria Marquez
In a chilling turn of events, Valeria Marquez, a popular beauty influencer, met a gruesome end while live streaming to her followers from her salon in Zapopan, Mexico. As she excitedly unwrapped a small parcel, exclaiming “He’s a little piglet!” to her viewers, tragedy struck.
Without warning, Marquez was shot dead by a male intruder who had entered her salon, leaving her lifeless body slumped over in her chair, blood pooling on the desk. The livestream continued until another person picked up her phone, briefly revealing their face to viewers.
The state of Jalisco’s Attorney General’s office is investigating the case as a suspected femicide, highlighting the ongoing issue of violence against women in Mexico. Marquez, with over 100,000 Instagram followers, has become a symbol of the country’s struggle with gender-based violence.
Unfortunately, Marquez’s tragic death is not an isolated incident. Just days prior, a mayoral candidate in Veracruz was also shot dead during a livestream, along with three others. The prevalence of femicides in Mexico is a grave concern, with a quarter of female killings in 2020 being investigated as such.
Amnesty International reports that femicides have been documented in all 32 states of Mexico, with 847 cases reported nationwide in 2020 alone. The government figures show 162 cases in the first three months of this year, underscoring the urgent need for action.
Rights groups criticize Mexico’s response to homicides, noting a lack of effective investigations and prosecutions. Human Rights Watch Americas Director Juanita Goebertus highlights the alarming statistic that 12% of all homicides in 2022 were women, with only 67% of cases leading to a verdict.
Addressing the challenges ahead, Goebertus emphasizes the need to enhance authorities’ capacity to investigate and protect witnesses and victims. As Mexico grapples with the devastating impact of femicide, urgent action is needed to prevent further tragedies.
CNN has reached out to the Attorney General’s office for more information on the case, shedding light on the pressing need for justice and accountability in the face of gender-based violence. — CNN
