Tragedy Strikes: Mexican Influencer Valeria Marquez Shot During TikTok Livestream

Valeria Marquez, a talented 23-year-old beauty influencer, was tragically shot while livestreaming on TikTok, in what the authorities are investigating as a femicide.

Valeria Marquez, a 23-year-old beauty influencer from Guadalajara, Mexico, was shot dead during a TikTok livestream, according to the state prosecutor's office. The incident occurred when a man entered her beauty salon in Zapopan and allegedly opened fire on her. The reason behind the attack remains unclear, but officials are treating it as a femicide, which refers to the killing of women due to their gender. This alarming trend reflects the broader issue of gender-based violence in Mexico, where reports suggest that around ten women or girls are murdered daily by intimate partners or family members, as per UN statistics.

In the moments leading up to her death, Marquez was seen holding a stuffed animal while engaging with her followers during the livestream. Tragically, the broadcast ended abruptly when another individual present in the salon picked up her phone to stop the feed. Local media allege that the assailant posed as someone delivering a gift before the violent act took place.

Emergency services were called to the scene around 6:30 PM local time (12:30 GMT), where they confirmed Marquez's death. As of now, the prosecutor's office has not publicly identified any suspects in the case. The local mayor, Juan José Frangie, stated that there were no records indicating that Marquez had reported any threats against her to the authorities, emphasizing the severity of femicides in the region. The state prosecutor’s office has engaged forensic experts to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting as the investigation continues, highlighting the urgent need to address violence against women in Mexico.