A young Mexican influencer with over 95,000 followers on TikTok was tragically killed on Tuesday in Jalisco, according to the state prosecutor’s office. The victim has been identified as 23-year-old Valeria Márquez, who created content focused on beauty and lifestyle, with some of her videos reaching nearly 800,000 views.
The prosecutor’s office noted that Márquez was an active social media presence. The incident occurred around 6:30 PM local time at a beauty salon she owned in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara. Local police responded to an emergency call and confirmed her death at the scene.
Initial investigations suggest that Márquez was in her establishment when a man entered and allegedly opened fire, resulting in her death, as indicated by the prosecutor’s statement. Authorities continue to gather testimonies and evidence in accordance with femicide investigation protocols.
Gender-based violence remains a critical issue in Mexico, where it is reported that 70% of women over the age of 15 have experienced some form of aggression in their lives, based on data from UN Women. Combining femicides and intentional homicides, approximately ten women and girls are murdered each day, according to UN statistics.
This tragedy highlights the urgent need for measures to combat gender-based violence in the country and to promote safer environments for women, particularly those in public-facing roles such as social media influencers. It serves as a somber reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by women in various communities and the importance of raising awareness about their safety and rights.