In Video: Mexican beauty influencer shot and killed during TikTok livestream
Beauty Influencer’s Murder Sends Shock Waves Across Mexico
The brutal murder of 23-year-old Valeria Marquez, a rising online star in Mexico, has left the country in shock. Marquez was shot to death during a TikTok live stream on Tuesday, while recording from the beauty salon where she worked in Zapan, central Mexico.
The horrific incident unfolded as Marquez recorded herself for her nearly 200,000 followers between Instagram and TikTok. In the minutes before her death, she mentioned receiving a mysterious gift earlier in the day, saying someone had promised to bring an expensive present. Later, she looked out of frame, clutching a pink stuffed animal, and whispered "They’re coming" before being brutally shot to death.
The FBI has not released the identity of the person who appeared in the live stream, nor their relationship to the crime. The murder has sparked outrage across Mexico, with many calling for justice for the young influencer.
Femicide on the Rise in Mexico
The killing of Marquez is the latest in a disturbing trend of femicide in Mexico. According to government statistics, there were 847 femicides reported last year, accounting for nearly one in every four homicides with female victims. This leaves many worried about the rise of violence against women, including femicide, in the country.
Expert Calls for Institutional Change
Professor Balina Garcia del Moral, who studies gender violence in Mexico and Latin America, believes that femicide is a pervasive problem that will take time to address. "There has to be change at the institutional level to recognize the institutional responsibility for creating conditions for women to be murdered with impunity," she said. "If that can change, then yes, I believe there could be change, but that’s going to be really hard."
Human Rights Group Criticizes Punishment
Human rights groups have also pointed out that the punishments for femicide in Mexico are often lenient. According to Amnesty International, 95% of femicide cases go unpunished, with punishments ranging from 50 to 60 years in some states, while in others, the punishment can be as low as 20 to 50 years.
The Path Forward
As Mexico mourns the loss of Valeria Marquez, experts are calling for change at the institutional level to address the rise of femicide in the country. Until then, the victim’s family and friends will continue to mourn the loss of a young life cut short by senseless violence.
