The investigation continues in Mexico after a TikTok influencer was shot dead while livestreaming from a beauty salon on May 13.
No suspects have been named in the death of 23-year-old Valeria Marquez as of Thursday, May 15, the Jalisco State Attorney’s Office clarified in a news release two days after the killing, after rumors swirled on social media, alleging who may have been involved. All videos and statements on social media are being analyzed and investigated, officials added.
Marquez's death is still being investigated as a femicide, the murder of a woman or girl because of her gender.
Marquez was at the beauty salon in western Zapopan, a city located in the Mexican state of Jalisco, when a man entered the business and shot her, prosecutors said in an initial statement.
Both municipal police officers and paramedics responded to the scene, confirming that Marquez had died, prosecutors said.
Mexico's security cabinet investigating death, president says
Mexico's security cabinet will work alongside prosecutors to find the person responsible and a motive for Marquez's death, President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a press conference on Thursday.
"Obviously we express solidarity with the family during this unfortunate situation," Sheinbaum said.
What happened to Valeria Marquez?
Marquez often shared photos of herself modeling and traveling. She also worked at the beauty salon where she was killed, reported Reuters.
According to the outlet, Marquez said earlier while livestreaming that someone came to the salon while she was out. The person had an expensive gift for her, and she seemed concerned. She said she wasn't waiting for the person to return.
Shortly before she was killed, Marquez was seen holding a stuffed toy, then she said, “They’re coming.”
A voice said, "Hey, Vale,” to which Marquez replied, “Yes,” confirming her identity. She then muted the livestream. Shortly after, she was shot.
Someone grabbed her phone, briefly appearing on screen before the stream ended, reported Reuters.
What is femicide?
Prosecutors said the case is being investigated as a case of femicide, sometimes called feminicide.
Femicide is the killing of women and girls because of their gender, according to the European Institute for Gender Equality.
According to the institute, femicide happens when women are murdered as a result of intimate partner violence, killed in the name of honor, killed in connection to dowries, killed because of their sexual orientation, and in other scenarios.
Femicides have also been connected to gangs, organized crime, drug dealers, human trafficking and the proliferation of small arms, the institute said.
