Tragic Death of Influencer Valeria Marquez Highlights Gender-Based Violence in Mexico

Valeria Marquez, a popular social media figure with 200,000 followers, was shot dead in her beauty salon, prompting investigations into the gender-based violence that plagues Mexico.

In a shocking incident that underscores the alarming rates of gender-based violence in Mexico, 23-year-old Valeria Marquez was fatally shot while live streaming on TikTok. Marquez, who boasted a following of nearly 200,000 across TikTok and Instagram, was attacked in her beauty salon located in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara, according to the Jalisco state prosecutor's office.

The assailant reportedly entered the salon and opened fire before fleeing the scene. While the precise motive for the attack is yet to be determined, authorities are treating it as a femicide, a term for murders specifically motivated by gender.

Mexican women face deeply rooted peril, with the UN estimating that ten women or girls are murdered daily by intimate partners or family members. The live streaming incident, which began with Marquez seated and holding a stuffed animal, turned grim as she was abruptly shot, and footage concluded when another individual intervened to end the broadcast.

Initial reports suggest that the perpetrator may have posed as a gift-giver to gain access to her. Local authorities confirmed that police responded to the scene around 6:30 PM local time, while the search for a suspect continues.

In response to this tragic loss, fans of Marquez expressed their grief and outrage, with Zapopan Mayor Juan José Frangie noting that no prior threats to Marquez had been reported to his office. He emphasized the gravity of femicide as one of the worst societal issues. The state prosecutor’s office has since engaged forensic experts to scrutinize the details of the shooting, raising awareness about the broader implications of violence against women in Mexico.