Local sources from Mexico: Infobae, Proceso.
UK coverage: The Guardian.
In a shocking incident that has drawn widespread attention and condemnation, Valeria Márquez, a 23-year-old Mexican beauty influencer, was fatally shot during a TikTok live stream at her beauty salon, ‘Blossom The Beauty Lounge,’ in Zapopan. The Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office has classified her death as a feminicide, highlighting the severe issue of gender-based violence in the country. Márquez’s last moments were broadcasted live to nearly 200,000 followers, marking a grim addition to Mexico’s high levels of femicide, where the country ranks fourth-highest in Latin America and the Caribbean for such crimes. Jalisco, now under scrutiny for its crime rates, ranks sixth in homicides among Mexico’s states under the current administration. The investigation into Márquez’s murder is ongoing, with authorities following the feminicide investigation protocol to uncover the facts and identify the perpetrators. Initial reports indicate a man attempted to deliver a package to Valeria shortly before the fatal incident, during which she appeared visibly nervous. No arrests have been reported thus far. In response to the murder, the Mayor of Zapopan, Juan José Frangie Saade, described the killing as an ‘isolated incident,’ emphasizing the unpredictable nature of such crimes and denying any notion that Zapopan ranks high in insecurity within the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area. Efforts to reinforce police resources and thoroughly investigate the crime, alongside another recent high-profile murder, were highlighted, with both cases deemed isolated and distinct by local authorities. Despite these assurances, the absence of clear investigative leads or links to organized crime has been noted, while official statistics suggest a decrease in homicides in Jalisco. The tragic death of Valeria Márquez has reignited conversations about femicide and gender-based violence in Mexico, with authorities at both municipal and state levels striving to prevent further incidents and ensure justice is served.
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