The Mexican digital community is in mourning after a chilling incident that has reignited debates around violence against women. Valeria Márquez, a 23-year-old influencer and beauty specialist, was brutally shot and killed during a livestream on #TikTok on May 13 — a crime now being investigated as femicide.
Valeria was at her workplace, a beauty salon, when an unidentified gunman entered and opened fire. The young creator was broadcasting live at the time, smiling and cradling a stuffed toy when she quietly uttered, “They’re coming.” A voice off camera called her name: “Hey, Vale?” to which she replied, “Yeah,” before abruptly muting the livestream. Seconds later, a gunshot rang out — the final moment of her life captured online.
Her death has shocked social media and cast a harsh spotlight on the rising epidemic of gender-based violence in #Mexico. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mexico ranks fourth in the region for femicide, averaging 1.3 femicides per 100,000 women — a grim statistic it shares with countries like Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia.
Valeria’s tragic death is not just another headline. It’s a chilling reminder of the dangerous realities many women face, even in seemingly safe spaces. As calls grow louder for justice and systemic change, her name now echoes in the fight against femicide in Latin America.
