Female Creator Shot Dead During Livestream in Mexico: Shocking Femicide Sparks Global Outrage

According to CNN and other international outlets, the digital world was shaken on May 13 as Valeria Márquez, a Mexican model and content creator with over 210,000 followers, was shot dead during a livestream, her final moments broadcast live to her audience.

The horrifying incident took place around 6 p.m. at Valeria’s beauty salon in Zapopan, Jalisco. Surveillance footage and livestream recordings reveal that two men arrived on a motorcycle—one of whom entered the salon wearing a mask and directly asked, “Are you Valeria?”

When she confirmed her identity, the assailant immediately opened fire. He then fled with his accomplice on the motorcycle, leaving behind a scene of chaos that was streamed live to unsuspecting viewers. Valeria’s social media account was deleted on May 14, but footage of the attack continues to circulate online.

Authorities confirmed that the killing is being investigated as a femicide—the gender-based killing of a woman. Investigators believe the gunman likely did not know Valeria personally, suggesting the possibility of a contract killing.

The brazen nature of the attack has ignited global outrage, especially as it comes just two days after another fatal shooting of a woman in Mexico. In Veracruz, Yesenia Lara Gutiérrez, a ruling party mayoral candidate, was gunned down at a campaign event—a chilling echo of Valeria’s fate.

Mexico has long struggled with violence against women. According to UN data, over 50,000 women have been murdered in Mexico between 2001 and 2024, with less than 5% of cases resulting in conviction. These back-to-back murders are fueling renewed calls for justice, safety reforms, and government accountability.

As tributes pour in from fans and activists worldwide, Valeria Márquez’s death serves as a harrowing reminder of the perils women face—not only offline but increasingly in digital spaces meant for self-expression and connection.