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“She Kept Looking”: Beauty Influencer Assassinated Live On TikTok As Viewers Watched In Horror
Police vehicles and officers at a crime scene responding to the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old influencer live streaming.
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“She Kept Looking”: Beauty Influencer Assassinated Live On TikTok As Viewers Watched In Horror

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Valeria Márquez, a 23-year-old TikTok beauty influencer, was assassinated live in front of her horrified audience while she was streaming from her beauty salon in Jalisco, Mexico. 

The attack, consisting of two shots to the stomach and one to the head, was captured in graphic detail on camera, shocking her mostly teenage viewers and reigniting public outcry over violence against women in the country and the influence of organized crime.

Highlights
  • Valeria Márquez, a 23-year-old TikTok influencer, was fatally shot live while streaming from her salon in Jalisco, Mexico.
  • The attack was classified as femicide, reflecting the sharp rise of gender-based violence in Mexico since 2015.
  • Márquez had previously warned her followers that her ex-boyfriend posed a threat to her safety before the deadly attack.

In the now widely circulated footage, the influencer can be seen smiling and looking out the window of her salon before a gunman on a motorbike opened fire. The video shows her clutching her side before collapsing, as an unidentified woman appears and swiftly turns off her live stream.

Authorities confirmed that the gunman fled the scene on a motorcycle. A manhunt is currently underway to find him and determine the motive behind the crime.

Disclaimer: This story discusses violent gender-based crimes. Reader discretion is advised.

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    Popular Mexican beauty influencer was assassinated live on camera while streaming to her 100,000-plus audience

    Image credits: Valeria Marquez

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    Jalisco’s Attorney General’s Office has launched an investigation, classifying the shooting as a femicide, believing the influencer to have been explicitly targeted due to her gender.

    The office reported that the assailant entered the salon around 6:30 pm local time, confirmed Márquez’s identity, and fired at close range. The attack was reported via 911, prompting the immediate response from local police and forensic personnel.

    Image credits: Valeria Marquez

    An autopsy will be performed in the coming hours, as per local media. The killing comes just days after another high-profile on-camera assassination of a woman in Mexico. Yesenia Lara Gutierrez, a candidate for mayor from the ruling Morena party, was shot dead alongside her daughter and three supporters during a campaign livestream in Veracruz.

    Image credits: Valeria Marquez

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    Both incidents have drawn national attention to the deteriorating security climate in the lead-up to Mexico’s June judicial elections, during which voters will elect nine Supreme Court justices as well as more than 380 district court judges and 460 circuit court magistrates.

    The historical election is the first of its kind in Mexican history and follows the country’s 2024 judicial reform.

    Gender-based violence has experienced a marked increase in recent years in Mexico

    Image credits: Valeria Marquez

    Márquez’ case has brought attention to the rise of gender-based violence in Mexico. According to non-profit organizations such as Visions of Humanity, there’s been an increase of approximately 120 percent in femicide cases since 2015, reaching an all-time high in 2022 with 968 reported incidents.

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    Intimate violence also remains a troubling issue, with the organization’s latest report confirming that both family violence and s*xual assault have experienced a steady increase since 2015—a concerning stat considering most cases go unreported.

    Image credits: En Directo Noticias Jalisco

    “Recent estimates suggest that about 93 per cent of sexual violence cases go unreported, or do not result in an investigation. Many victims do not even file complaints, owing to factors such as fear of retaliation and distrust in authorities,” the study stated.

    “National survey data indicates that for every sexual offense committed against a man, nine are committed against women. Moreover, seven in ten women over the age of 15 report experiencing some form of violence in their lifetimes.”

    While authorities haven’t confirmed a suspect, many believe the attack was connected to Márquez’ ex-boyfriend

    Image credits: jarahumilde

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    In the hours following the attack, fans flooded Márquez’s Instagram profile with messages demanding justice and pointing to a troubling backstory.

    Multiple reports suggest the influencer had expressed fears for her safety in recent weeks and had publicly named a former romantic partner as a potential threat.

    The latest information reported by local outlets reveals that Márquez had written messages warning that her ex-boyfriend could harm her. 

    Image credits: blossom.beauty.ig

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    In a now-viral Instagram story in which she showed her bruised legs, she stated: “This is the work of my current partner with whom I lived, that’s why I call him my ‘ex.’ I hold him responsible for anything that happens to me or my family. Even if I have to leave the city.”

    Image credits: Valeria Marquez

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    The revelation added a new layer to the investigation, yet Jalisco authorities have not publicly confirmed a suspect. Still, early reports suggest they are looking into Márquez’ former partner as a person of interest.

    As the investigation continues, tributes continue to pour in for the influencer, who was considered a rising social media star known for sharing beauty tips, lifestyle content, and her entrepreneurial journey as the owner of a salon.

    “Horrible.” Netizens took to social media to express their shock over the gruesome attack

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    Abel Musa Miño

    Abel Musa Miño

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Abel is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Santiago, Chile, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a diploma in International Relations. In his spare time, you can find him tinkering with his motorbike, playing with his dog, or reading a good novel.

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    Abel Musa Miño

    Abel Musa Miño

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Abel is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Santiago, Chile, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a diploma in International Relations. In his spare time, you can find him tinkering with his motorbike, playing with his dog, or reading a good novel.

    Renan Duarte

    Renan Duarte

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    Renan Duarte

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    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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    Chris the Bobcat
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This fvcking world makes no sense. Evil thrives unchecked while goodness dies slowly.

    ElfVibratorGlitter
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    SMH. Poor woman. Poor viewers. I can't even imagine watching someone I idiolized (or even just liked following) m******d in real time.

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    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is just sickening and truly heartbreaking. I think her ex boyfriend is responsible for her murder and I hope that Valeria and her loved ones get the justice that they deserve. Another femicide all because she wasn't with him anymore and he likely thought that if he couldn't have her, then no one could. Unfortunately many femicide cases are very similar. A family friend was in a relationship with another family friend for awhile but he started abusing her. Initially it was emotional/mental abuse, before it turned physical. After months of abuse she was trying to leave him. She began to distance herself but cautiously. Eventually she went to where she lived with him, to get the last of her belongings and he decided that no one else could have her. This sick fûck beat/strangled her and fatally snapped her neck. He then cut his wrists and throat but of course they were superficial wounds, because he's a pûssy. He's serving life in prison and I pray he never gets parole.

    Load More Comments
    Chris the Bobcat
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This fvcking world makes no sense. Evil thrives unchecked while goodness dies slowly.

    ElfVibratorGlitter
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    SMH. Poor woman. Poor viewers. I can't even imagine watching someone I idiolized (or even just liked following) m******d in real time.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is just sickening and truly heartbreaking. I think her ex boyfriend is responsible for her murder and I hope that Valeria and her loved ones get the justice that they deserve. Another femicide all because she wasn't with him anymore and he likely thought that if he couldn't have her, then no one could. Unfortunately many femicide cases are very similar. A family friend was in a relationship with another family friend for awhile but he started abusing her. Initially it was emotional/mental abuse, before it turned physical. After months of abuse she was trying to leave him. She began to distance herself but cautiously. Eventually she went to where she lived with him, to get the last of her belongings and he decided that no one else could have her. This sick fûck beat/strangled her and fatally snapped her neck. He then cut his wrists and throat but of course they were superficial wounds, because he's a pûssy. He's serving life in prison and I pray he never gets parole.

    Load More Comments
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