Latina Star Selena's Killer Denied Parole 30 Years After Murder
A woman sentenced to life in prison for murdering a Mexican-American pop star in a Texas motel was denied parole on Thursday, almost three decades after the killing.
Yolanda Saldivar was president of Selena's fan club and had claimed she accidentally shot the singer on March 31, 1995 at a motel room in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The 23-year-old star, whose full name was Selena Quintanilla Perez, was wildly popular in the Mexican-American community of Tejano music -- an upbeat mingle of Texan and Mexican sounds -- and on the verge of breaking through to a larger mainstream audience when she was killed.
"After a thorough consideration of all available information, which included any confidential interviews conducted, it was the parole panel's determination to deny parole to Yolanda Saldivar and set her next parole review for March 2030," the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole said in a statement, according to AFP.
According to the board, the decision was based on the "brutality, violence, assaultive behavior or conscious selection of the victim's vulnerability" of the murder, which indicated Saldivar "poses a continuing threat to public safety."
The singer's family welcomed the decision.
"While nothing can bring Selena back, this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us," her family and widower Chris Perez said in a joint statement.
Saldivar, now 64, was a personal assistant to Selena and an employee at her boutique when she fatally shot the star in the back after meeting her at a motel.
The singer had reportedly confronted Saldivar about more than 30,000 dollars missing from her fan club and two of her boutiques.
Witnesses told police that Selena identified Saldivar as her killer before she collapsed and died.
Listed by Billboard magazine as one of the greatest Latin artists of all time, Selena won a Grammy in 1993 and received a posthumous award in 2021.
In 2017, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Al Arabiya
Media groups urge Israel to allow Gaza access for foreign journalists
More than 130 news outlets and press freedom groups called Thursday for Israel to immediately lift a near-total ban on international media entering Gaza, while calling for greater protections for Palestinian journalists in the territory. Israel has blocked most foreign correspondents from independently accessing Gaza since it began its war there following the unprecedented October 7, 2023, attack by militant group Hamas. An open letter shared by the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders called the restrictions 'a situation that is without precedent in modern warfare.' Signees included AFP's global news director Phil Chetwynd, The Associated Press executive editor Julie Pace, and the editor of Israeli newspaper Haaretz Aluf Benn. The letter added that many Palestinian journalists — whom news outlets have relied on to report from inside Gaza — face a litany of threats. 'Local journalists, those best positioned to tell the truth, face displacement and starvation,' it said. 'To date, nearly 200 journalists have been killed by the Israeli military. Many more have been injured and face constant threats to their lives for doing their jobs: bearing witness. 'This is a direct attack on press freedom and the right to information.' The letter added that it was a 'pivotal moment' in Israel's war — with renewed military actions and efforts to boost humanitarian aid to Gaza. This, it said, makes it 'vital that Israel open Gaza's borders for international journalists to be able to report freely and that Israel abides by its international obligations to protect journalists as civilians.' Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists, said in a separate statement that Israel must grant journalists access and allow them to work in Gaza 'without fear for their lives.' 'When journalists are killed in such unprecedented numbers and independent international media is barred from entering, the world loses its ability to see clearly, to understand fully, and to respond effectively to what is happening,' she said. Reporters Without Borders head Thibaut Bruttin said the media blockade on Gaza 'is enabling the total destruction and erasure of the blockaded territory.' 'This is a methodical attempt to silence the facts, suppress the truth, and isolate the Palestinian press and population,' he said in a statement. Thursday's letter was issued the same day the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said three reporters were killed by a strike close to a hospital in Gaza City. Israel's military said the strike had targeted '...a terrorist who was operating in a command and control center' in the yard of the hospital.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Media groups urge Israel to allow Gaza access for foreign journalists
NEW YORK: More than 130 news outlets and press freedom groups called Thursday for Israel to immediately lift a near-total ban on international media entering Gaza, while calling for greater protections for Palestinian journalists in the territory. Israel has blocked most foreign correspondents from independently accessing Gaza since it began its war there following the unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack by militant group Hamas. An open letter shared by the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders called the restrictions 'a situation that is without precedent in modern warfare.' Signees included AFP's global news director Phil Chetwynd, The Associated Press executive editor Julie Pace, and the editor of Israeli newspaper Haaretz Aluf Benn. The letter added that many Palestinian journalists — whom news outlets have relied on to report from inside Gaza — face a litany of threats. 'Local journalists, those best positioned to tell the truth, face displacement and starvation,' it said. 'To date, nearly 200 journalists have been killed by the Israeli military. Many more have been injured and face constant threats to their lives for doing their jobs: bearing witness. 'This is a direct attack on press freedom and the right to information.' The letter added that it was a 'pivotal moment' in Israel's war — with renewed military actions and efforts to boost humanitarian aid to Gaza. This, it said, makes it 'vital that Israel open Gaza's borders for international journalists to be able to report freely and that Israel abides by its international obligations to protect journalists as civilians.' Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists, said in a separate statement that Israel must grant journalists access and allow them to work in Gaza 'without fear for their lives.' 'When journalists are killed in such unprecedented numbers and independent international media is barred from entering, the world loses its ability to see clearly, to understand fully, and to respond effectively to what is happening,' she said. Reporters Without Borders head Thibaut Bruttin said the media blockade on Gaza 'is enabling the total destruction and erasure of the blockaded territory.' 'This is a methodical attempt to silence the facts, suppress the truth, and isolate the Palestinian press and population,' he said in a statement. Thursday's letter was issued the same day the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said three reporters were killed by a strike close to a hospital in Gaza City. Israel's military said the strike had targeted 'an Islamic Jihad terrorist who was operating in a command and control center' in the yard of the hospital.
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Sonder announces retirement from VALORANT after Red Bull Instalock
The ES TIMES — Veteran Game Changers player Diana 'sonder' Zhang has officially announced her retirement from VALORANT competition, with Red Bull Instalock 2025 being her final appearance on the stage. The Chinese-American player, who currently represents FlyQuest RED, shared the news on social media, stating that she will be stepping away from professional esports to pursue new goals in her life. 'I am grateful for all the amazing people I have met along the way,' Sonder wrote. 'Thank you all for the support, love, and encouragement through every moment, whether it's the ups or the downs. I hope I've made it clear that no matter what, always have fun.' 'I'm not sad that it's over, I'm happy that it happened. I love you all.' Despite her departure from the competitive scene, Sonder confirmed that she will continue to stream regularly on her Twitch channel, maintaining a presence within the community that has supported her throughout her career. Sonder's journey in VALORANT began in 2021 with Moon Raccoons Black, quickly rising to the top, joining Shopify Rebellion GC, where she spent over two years. Her successful tenure with the team saw her reach the final of the 2022 Game Changers Championship, cementing her position as one of the best duelists in the industry. In early 2024, Sonder joined FlyQuest RED, remaining with them for over a year before announcing her decision to retire. The team issued a heartfelt farewell message to her: "Thank you, Sonder, for your time with us at RED and Game Changers. Your impact on the team and the scene as a whole has been incredible. You willbegreatlymissed." Sonder's final appearance was on May 2–3 at the Red Bull Instalock event, which took place at the Red Bull Gaming Sphere in London. Fans can follow the event live on the official Red Bull Gaming Twitch and YouTube channels. Sonder's retirement comes at a time of significant change in the scene, with another Game Changers star, Ava "florescent" Eugene, also announcing she will be taking a break from competition in 2025 after moving to Team Apeks in the EMEA region.
