Almost 30 years after the tragic death of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, her killer, Yolanda Saldívar, is being reviewed for parole.
Saldívar, now 64 years old, is serving a life sentence at a prison in Gatesville, Texas. This prison is about five hours away from Corpus Christi, where Selena was killed. According to Variety, The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has announced that Saldívar will become eligible for parole on March 30, 2025.
Selena was a beloved Tejano music star who was only 23 years old when she was killed on March 31, 1995. At the time, Saldívar was the president of Selena’s fan club and managed Selena’s clothing stores. However, the relationship between Selena, her family, and Saldívar had grown tense. Selena’s family believed that Saldívar had been stealing money from Selena’s businesses and fan club.
On the day of the murder, Selena met Saldívar at a motel in Corpus Christi to collect some missing financial documents. During their meeting, Selena turned to leave, and Saldívar shot her in the back. Selena managed to run to the lobby of the motel and tell staff that Saldívar was the shooter. She was taken to a hospital but sadly died from her injuries.
Saldívar has claimed that the shooting was an accident. She said she meant to shoot herself and the gun went off by mistake. In a 2024 TV series about Selena’s life and death, Saldívar also denied stealing money. However, Selena’s family still believes she was guilty of embezzlement.
Now that Saldívar’s parole review has started, the process will take some time. Officials will look at her case, including letters from people who support or protest her release. Saldívar will also be interviewed by a parole officer, who will prepare a report for the parole board. This board will decide whether or not she should be released. A vote will happen before March 30, 2025.
Selena’s fans and family members are upset at the thought of Saldívar being released. Selena is still loved by millions of people around the world. She became famous for her incredible music and is remembered as a cultural icon. Her life and career were celebrated in the 1997 movie *Selena* and continue to inspire new generations of fans.
For many, the pain of losing Selena is still fresh, even after all these years. The decision about Saldívar’s parole will likely bring up strong emotions for those who loved Selena and her music.
