The murder of Valeria Márquez, a 23-year-old TikTok and Instagram influencer, during a live TikTok video from the beauty salon where she worked in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, has shocked public opinion in Mexico and beyond. She was shot twice, in the chest and head, by a man who entered the salon, asked for her identity, and then opened fire. It all happened while Valeria was holding a pink stuffed toy and was live streaming to her followers.
The incident is being investigated as femicide, a gender-based murder.
People online suspect that Valeria's friend is involved in the crime
After the crime, social media exploded with speculation, putting the spotlight on Valeria's close friend, Vivian de la Torre, who was with her before and during the live broadcast.
According to Valeria's followers, Vivian had insisted that she not leave the salon, even though the latter had mentioned that someone had tried to bring her an "expensive" gift earlier in the day. Vivian denied any involvement, stating:
"We never imagined that something like this would happen. Vale received gifts often, even during the live. She was like a sister to me."
Previous videos where Valeria and Vivian appear very close, with jokes where they say they are each other's "brides" and a video where Vivian makes some unclear hand gestures (according to followers: three fingers = three bullets) have raised suspicions about a possible role for her, or at least prior knowledge.
The Jalisco prosecutor's office reacted publicly, denying that Vivian de la Torre is currently under investigation and emphasizing that there are no official suspects yet.
Scenario involving a figure linked to the CJNG cartel
According to the Milenio portal, the suspected perpetrator has been identified as Ricardo Ruiz Velasco, known as "El Doble R" or "El Tripa", an important figure in the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) - one of the most violent criminal organizations in Mexico.
It is said that he had a secret relationship with Valeria and was often jealous of the luxurious gifts she received from her online followers.
The killer did not personally know Valeria, according to the prosecution
Prosecutor's spokesman Denis Rodríguez told The New York Times that the investigation is focusing on security camera footage and Valeria's activity on social media as possible sources for identifying the perpetrators.
According to him, two people had arrived at the salon earlier in the day, attempting to deliver a gift, but did not know Valeria personally. During the attack, one of them, masked, asked: “Are you Valeria?” – and after confirmation, shot.
“They had no personal relationship with her,” Rodríguez said. “He was simply her executioner.”
Family members seek justice
Valeria's family has requested a full analysis of the crime video, stressing that it may contain key elements to identify the perpetrators. The prosecutor confirmed that they are interviewing people closest to Valeria, including friends, relatives and possible partners.
