Valeria Marquez, a 23-year-old Mexican influencer, was shot and killed while livestreaming on TikTok, where thousands followed her.
The Jalisco state prosecutor’s office revealed that Marquez was gunned down on Tuesday evening at her beauty salon in Zapopan, a suburb of the western city of Guadalajara.
She posted videos about beauty and lifestyle, some of which garnered hundreds of thousands of views.
“The victim is someone with an active presence and influence on social media,” the Jalisco state prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
It added, “A man entered the premises and apparently fired a gun at her.”
The motive behind the murder is yet to be ascertained, but the region is rife with criminality and is home to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s most violent drug trafficking groups.
Investigators are yet to find evidence linking any criminal group to the shooting, according to state security coordinator Roberto Alarcon.
Zapopan Mayor Juan Jose Frangie disclosed that his office received no request from Marquez seeking help from authorities because of threats against her.
“It’s incredible that you’re making a video, and then you’re murdered. A femicide is the worst thing,” he said.
Per reports, Marquez was killed by a man who pretended to bring her a gift.