Influencer Valeria Marquez Killed in Apparent Femicide During…

Valeria Marquez, a 23-year-old influencer, was fatally shot during a TikTok livestream in Guadalajara, Jalisco. The Jalisco prosecutor’s office is treating the case as a femicide. Speculations about threats she faced were raised during the livestream. Marquez was a prominent social media figure with a beauty salon and had significant follower counts on various platforms.

In a tragic incident, 23-year-old Valeria Marquez, a popular influencer from Mexico, was shot dead during a live stream on TikTok. The attack happened on Tuesday while she was at her beauty salon, Blossom The Beauty Lounge, in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Marquez, who had garnered over 113,000 followers on the platform, was engaging with her audience when the incident unfolded.

During the live broadcast, Marquez was seen holding a stuffed pig toy and, moments before the attack, she mentioned a suspicious delivery she had received earlier that day. In the video, a man is heard asking for her by name before she abruptly turns off her microphone. Seconds later, she was shot, falling back in her chair and appearing to struggle before collapsing. Reports indicate that the shooter fled the scene on a motorbike.

The Jalisco state prosecutor’s office is handling the case as a femicide, which is protocol in cases where women are murdered based on their gender. This incident has been marked as the eighth femicide in Jalisco this month alone. As of Wednesday, Marquez’s TikTok account was reportedly taken down.

Leading up to the shooting, Marquez’s live stream hinted at potential threats against her life. She expressed concern when discussing a call from a contact named Erika, who suggested a mysterious delivery intended for her. This portion of the livestream sparked speculation on whether there were ominous circumstances surrounding her death.

Valeria Marquez rose to prominence through her beauty, lifestyle, and entrepreneurship content. She opened her beauty salon in 2021 and was crowned Miss Rostro, a local beauty pageant. Valeria was known for fostering a close connection with her followers, sharing her personal life and business journey with them.

The alarming rates of femicide in Mexico underscore the gravity of Marquez’s death. According to the United Nations, Mexico has a concerning record of 1.3 femicides per 100,000 women as of 2023. Jalisco ranks sixth in the nation for homicide rates, indicating a troubling environment for women in the region.

Zapopan Mayor Juan Jose Frangie stated that there were no records of Marquez seeking assistance regarding any threats, reinforcing the unpredictable nature of such violent acts. This incident tragically follows another recent killing of a mayoral candidate in Veracruz, highlighting the ongoing violence against women in Mexico. President Claudia Sheinbaum has yet to release any details regarding the motive for Marquez’s murder.

Valeria Marquez’s shocking death during a TikTok livestream underscores the severe issue of femicide in Mexico. As investigations continue into this tragic event, it highlights a larger problem of violence against women in the country and the urgent need for systemic changes. With growing concerns regarding safety, especially for women, this incident has sparked national conversations about the alarming rates of femicide in Mexico and the necessity for protective measures.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com