Valeria Marquez, a 23-year-old Mexican beauty influencer, was fatally shot during a TikTok livestream on Tuesday, an act that has reignited national concern over gender-based violence in Mexico.
Known for her makeup tutorials and lifestyle content, Marquez had garnered a significant following online, with nearly 200,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok.
The fatal shooting occurred inside a beauty salon in Zapopan, Jalisco, where Marquez worked. Authorities from the Jalisco state prosecutor’s office confirmed that the case is being investigated under femicide protocols—a legal classification in Mexico for the killing of women due to their gender, often involving brutality, sexual violence, or prior relationships with the perpetrator.
Moments before the attack, Marquez was seen on a livestream holding a stuffed toy. She quietly said, “they’re coming,” followed by an exchange in which someone asked, “Hey, Vale?” to which she replied, “Yes,” before muting the stream. Seconds later, she was shot. A person then appeared on camera, briefly showing their face before ending the broadcast.
Earlier in the livestream, Marquez expressed concern about an individual who had tried to deliver an “expensive gift” in her absence. She said she was not expecting anyone and had no intention of waiting. The investigation remains ongoing, as outrage grows over persistent violence against women in the country.
