Latest news with #OpusLounge
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Ariela La Langosta's Cause of Death Revealed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ariela La Langosta, a content creator with more than 570,000 followers on Instagram, was found dead in her car on Sunday. She was 33. Westchester County Police Department in New York said in a statement on Facebook that she "died as a result of gunshot wounds, the Westchester County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed." Newsweek reached out to the Westchester County Police Department via email on Wednesday. The Context La Langosta—whose real name is Ariela Mejia-Polanco—was a Dominican social media influencer known for starring in rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine's "Wapae" music video in 2023. What To Know La Langosta was found dead on Sunday morning in what the police called a likely "targeted" attack while driving alone on the Cross County Parkway in Mount Vernon, New York. She was found deceased at approximately 8 a.m. local time. The Westchester County Police Department said that a preliminary investigation showed La Langosta's death was "likely targeted for violence and her death was not a random act." In March, the influencer posted photos of a luxury Mercedes SUV to social media. According to CBS News New York, the vehicle is the same one she was driving when she was killed. Ariela La Langosta is pictured in a photo from September 29, 2024. Ariela La Langosta is pictured in a photo from September 29, 2024. Ariela La Langosta/Instagram What People Are Saying Tekashi 6ix9ine posted on his Instagram Stories, per People: "NY won't ever be the same. I loved you." Opus Lounge, where La Langosta worked, wrote in a translated post on Instagram: "Tonight the nightlife loses an angel. With great sadness we say goodbye to our great friend and companion of so many years, Ariela. Their light, their joy and their company were always part of our best moments, inside and outside Opus Lounge. We join with his family's grief at this difficult time and send our deepest condolences. Out of respect and honor of his memory, Opus Lounge will remain closed tonight. May God hold you in glory, dear Ariela." Nightclub Starlets of New York shared via Instagram: "The entire Starlets family is deeply saddened by the loss of @ She was a one-of-a-kind soul — a beautiful friend, loving mother, and daughter whose smile and energy lit up every room she entered. Her energy will forever be missed, but her spirit will always live on with us." Restaurant Ikon New York said in a tribute on Instagram: "Today we lost our shining star @ our hearts are broken. Your joy, your humility, and the way you treated everyone with so much care always made you stand out. Thank you for giving so much love and support to our home, which also became yours. To Ariela's family, we are here for anything you need. We still can't believe it... you were our smile, our happiness. We love you and we will miss you forever." What Happens Next The Westchester County Police Department said on Facebook: "The homicide remains under investigation by detectives from the General Investigations Unit. Assistance has been provided by other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies during in the continuing investigation. Due to that ongoing investigation, additional details are not being disclosed at this time."
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Fatal shooting of influencer Ariela Mejia-Polanco under investigation in Westchester County
Many in New York City's hip-hop and nightlife communities are mourning the death of social media influencer Ariela Mejia-Polanco. The 33-year-old was shot dead Sunday morning while driving alone in her car on the Cross County Parkway in Mount Vernon. Mejia-Polanco worked as a hostess at the Opus Lounge in Inwood. She was also an influencer with half a million followers on Instagram under the username " The club posted on social media, "New York City nightlife has lost an angel." Opus Lounge was closed on Monday night out of respect for the victim. A memorial now sits outside the building, where some stopped by to pay their respects. "I'm very heartbroken. Just coming now, knowing she had her two daughters, very sad," Jecelia Rodriguez said. "It really hurts, you know, Dominican. You know, very beautiful. Such a thing like this, very, very sad," Anaceli Hernandez said. In March, on social media, Mejia-Polanco showed off a luxury SUV, which appears to be the same vehicle she was driving Sunday. Her body was found in that vehicle, not far from 42 Broad, where she rented an apartment. Mejia-Polanco also owned a large home in the northern suburbs. Friends and family there declined to comment. The victim was a close friend of the controversial rapper and former gang member known as Tekashi 6ix9ine. He posted on social media his love for Mejia-Polanco, whom he featured in a 2023 music video. Westchester County Police are reviewing the victim's movements and relationships as they work with the office of District Attorney Susan Cacace to build a murder case against whoever is responsible.
