Latest news with #SelenaEtc.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Selena's family says decision to deny her killer parole 'reaffirms that justice continues to stand'
Selena's family is "grateful" that the young singer's killer, Yolanda Saldívar, was denied parole Thursday in Texas. Saldívar, 64, is serving a life sentence for the March 31, 1995, murder that took place at a Corpus Christi hotel after the singer, whose last name was Quintanilla-Pérez, accused friend Saldívar of embezzling $30,000. The older woman had been president of the Selena fan club and manager of the singer's Selena Etc. boutiques. Read more: In 'Selena y Los Dinos,' we see the Tejano queen through the eyes of her sister The Quintanilla family and Chris Pérez, the guitarist who secretly married Selena in 1992, seemed pleased with the decision to deny parole, writing on social media, "Today, we are grateful." They said they were celebrating Selena's life, rather than remembering her murder. The parole board said in documents obtained Thursday by The Times that the killing had 'elements of brutality, violence, assaultive behavior or conscious selection of victim's vulnerability indicating a conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others, such that the offender poses a continuing threat to public safety." "While nothing can bring Selena back," the family continued, "this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us and from millions of fans around the world far too soon." Saldívar's case is eligible for another parole review — in Texas, a comprehensive evaluation involving interviews and behavioral reviews — in 2030. Read more: Selena's killer is denied parole 30 years after shooting Latin superstar "Selena's legacy is one of love, music, and inspiration. She lived with joy, gave selflessly, and continues to uplift generations with her voice and her spirit," the Quintanillas and Pérez wrote. "As her family and loved ones, we remain committed to preserving her memory and ensuring that her story is honored with the dignity and respect it deserves." Fans' support, they said, had been a source of strength and healing over the years. The Tejana pop superstar was about to record her first English-language crossover album when she was shot in the back by Saldívar at a Corpus Christi Days Inn. "Dreaming of You" was released posthumously in July 1995. Jennifer Lopez starred in "Selena," the 1997 film about the singer, and in 2020, Netflix debuted "Selena: The Series," a two-season, 18-episode series looking at her rise to fame with the family band, Los Dinos, and her murder. Read more: Johnny Canales, Tejano legend who helped launch the career of Selena Quintanilla, dies at 77 In 2024, the Oxygen network released "Selena & Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them,' a two-part documentary incorporating Saldívar's version of events. The latter was done without the family's OK. Most recently, the documentary "Selena y Los Dinos," featuring home movies shot by older sister Suzette Quintanilla, impressed audiences at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Selena fans weren't happy about "Selena & Yolanda." 'It's very clear to me that [the filmmakers are] giving a lot of weight to Yolanda's allegations," "Anything for Selena" podcast host Maria Elena Garcia told The Times in 2024. referencing promotions for the documentary. "Empty allegations that she has been making for literally decades. To me, that's incredibly irresponsible, unethical and, frankly, just distasteful.' Earlier this month, a Saldívar family member told the New York Post that Saldívar knows what she did was wrong but maintains that Selena came at her "really aggressively." "She was so thrown off with how forceful Selena was being; everything happened so fast," the family member said. "If Selena had confronted her differently, this never would have happened.' Read more: Remember This Banger: Selena's 'Dreaming of You' Saldívar's defense team alleged at trial in October 1995 that she shot Selena by accident and that Corpus Christi police who questioned her never mentioned that claim. During a nine-hour standoff at the hotel where Selena was shot, Saldívar told police negotiators that she told the singer she had bought a .38-caliber revolver to kill herself, the Associated Press reported in 1995. 'She told me: 'Yolanda, I don't want you to kill yourself.' She opened the door. When I told her to close it, the gun went off,' Saldívar said. The taped conversation was played at trial. Saldívar did not testify at trial after a judge denied a request that she testify only about her interactions with police. However, several hotel employees testified that they saw a calm Saldívar with the gun pursuing a screaming, bleeding Selena, the AP said. Times staff writer Clara Harter contributed to this report. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Selena Quintanilla's family after her killer Yolanda Saldívar is denied parole: ‘Justice continues to stand'
Selena Quintanilla's family has spoken out after Yolanda Saldívar, the woman convicted of murdering the budding Tejano music icon 30 years ago, was denied parole. The Mexican-American singer, simply referred to by fans as Selena, was 23 when she was fatally shot in a Texas hotel room on March 31, 1995, by Saldívar, the former president of the superstar's fan club. She was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after serving 30 years. However, on Thursday, the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole announced in a statement that Saldívar's parole had been denied. 'Today, we are grateful that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has chosen to deny parole for Yolanda Saldívar,' Selena's family said in an Instagram post shared from the 'Amor Prohibido' singer's account. 'While nothing can bring Selena back, this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us and from millions of fans around the world far too soon,' they said. Remembering her legacy as 'one of love, music, and inspiration,' they added: 'She lived with joy, gave selflessly, and continues to uplift generations with her voice and her spirit. 'As her family and loved ones, we remain committed to preserving her memory and ensuring that her story is honored with the dignity and respect it deserves,' they wrote, thanking Selena's fans for their 'unwavering support throughout the years.' 'Your love has been a source of strength and healing. We will continue to celebrate Selena's life — not the tragedy that took her from us — and we ask that all who cherish her do the same,' they concluded. Saldívar, a former nurse, founded Selena's fan club and had been the manager of the singer's clothing boutiques, Selena Etc., until she was fired in early March 1995 after money was discovered missing. She later shot and killed Selena during a confrontation in which the singer accused her of embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from her businesses. Saldívar, now 64, was convicted of first-degree murder and has been serving out a life sentence at Patrick O'Daniel Unit in Gatesville, Texas. In 2024, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles began the process of reviewing her parole eligibility, which included compiling a case file, a recommendation letter from Saldívar, an interview with her, and any letters submitted from Selena's family. This was the first time Saldívar had been up for parole since the killing of the 'Queen of Tejano Music.' In explaining the decision to deny parole, the board said in a statement that the panel found that Saldívar continues to pose a threat to public safety. It also said the nature of the crime indicated 'a conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others.' Saldívar will be eligible to be reviewed again for parole in 2030.
Los Angeles Times
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Selena's family says decision to deny her killer parole ‘reaffirms that justice continues to stand'
Selena's family is 'grateful' that the young singer's killer, Yolanda Saldívar, was denied parole Thursday in Texas. Saldívar, 64, is serving a life sentence for the March 31, 1995, murder that took place at a Corpus Christi hotel after the singer, whose last name was Quintanilla-Pérez, accused friend Saldívar of embezzling $30,000. The older woman had been president of the Selena fan club and manager of the singer's Selena Etc. boutiques. The Quintanilla family and Chris Pérez, the guitarist who secretly married Selena in 1992, seemed pleased with the decision to deny parole, writing on social media, 'Today, we are grateful.' They said they were celebrating Selena's life, rather than remembering her murder. The parole board said in documents obtained Thursday by The Times that the killing had 'elements of brutality, violence, assaultive behavior or conscious selection of victim's vulnerability indicating a conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others, such that the offender poses a continuing threat to public safety.' 'While nothing can bring Selena back,' the family continued, 'this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us and from millions of fans around the world far too soon.' Saldívar's case is eligible for another parole review — in Texas, a comprehensive evaluation involving interviews and behavioral reviews — in 2030. 'Selena's legacy is one of love, music, and inspiration. She lived with joy, gave selflessly, and continues to uplift generations with her voice and her spirit,' the Quintanillas and Pérez wrote. 'As her family and loved ones, we remain committed to preserving her memory and ensuring that her story is honored with the dignity and respect it deserves.' Fans' support, they said, had been a source of strength and healing over the years. The Tejana pop superstar was about to record her first English-language crossover album when she was shot in the back by Saldívar at a Corpus Christi Days Inn. 'Dreaming of You' was released posthumously in July 1995. Jennifer Lopez starred in 'Selena,' the 1997 film about the singer, and in 2020, Netflix debuted 'Selena: The Series,' a two-season, 18-episode series looking at her rise to fame with the family band, Los Dinos, and her murder. In 2024, the Oxygen network released 'Selena & Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them,' a two-part documentary incorporating Saldívar's version of events. The latter was done without the family's OK. Most recently, the documentary 'Selena y Los Dinos,' featuring home movies shot by older sister Suzette Quintanilla, impressed audiences at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Selena fans weren't happy about 'Selena & Yolanda.' 'It's very clear to me that [the filmmakers are] giving a lot of weight to Yolanda's allegations,' 'Anything for Selena' podcast host Maria Elena Garcia told The Times in 2024. referencing promotions for the documentary. 'Empty allegations that she has been making for literally decades. To me, that's incredibly irresponsible, unethical and, frankly, just distasteful.' Earlier this month, a Saldívar family member told the New York Post that Saldívar knows what she did was wrong but maintains that Selena came at her 'really aggressively.' 'She was so thrown off with how forceful Selena was being; everything happened so fast,' the family member said. 'If Selena had confronted her differently, this never would have happened.' Saldívar's defense team alleged at trial in October 1995 that she shot Selena by accident and that Corpus Christi police who questioned her never mentioned that claim. During a nine-hour standoff at the hotel where Selena was shot, Saldívar told police negotiators that she told the singer she had bought a .38-caliber revolver to kill herself, the Associated Press reported in 1995. 'She told me: 'Yolanda, I don't want you to kill yourself.' She opened the door. When I told her to close it, the gun went off,' Saldívar said. The taped conversation was played at trial. Saldívar did not testify at trial after a judge denied a request that she testify only about her interactions with police. However, several hotel employees testified that they saw a calm Saldívar with the gun pursuing a screaming, bleeding Selena, the AP said. Times staff writer Clara Harter contributed to this report.
The Independent
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Selena Quintanilla's family after her killer Yolanda Saldívar is denied parole: ‘Justice continues to stand'
Selena Quintanilla 's family has spoken out after Yolanda Saldívar, the woman convicted of murdering the budding Tejano music icon 30 years ago, was denied parole. The Mexican-American singer, simply referred to by fans as Selena, was 23 when she was fatally shot in a Texas hotel room on March 31, 1995, by Saldívar, the former president of the superstar's fan club. She was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after serving 30 years. However, on Thursday, the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole announced in a statement that Saldívar's parole had been denied. 'Today, we are grateful that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has chosen to deny parole for Yolanda Saldívar,' Selena's family said in an Instagram post shared from the 'Amor Prohibido' singer's account. 'While nothing can bring Selena back, this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us and from millions of fans around the world far too soon,' they said. Remembering her legacy as 'one of love, music, and inspiration,' they added: 'She lived with joy, gave selflessly, and continues to uplift generations with her voice and her spirit. 'As her family and loved ones, we remain committed to preserving her memory and ensuring that her story is honored with the dignity and respect it deserves,' they wrote, thanking Selena's fans for their 'unwavering support throughout the years.' 'Your love has been a source of strength and healing. We will continue to celebrate Selena's life — not the tragedy that took her from us — and we ask that all who cherish her do the same,' they concluded. Saldívar, a former nurse, founded Selena's fan club and had been the manager of the singer's clothing boutiques, Selena Etc., until she was fired in early March 1995 after money was discovered missing. She later shot and killed Selena during a confrontation in which the singer accused her of embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from her businesses. Saldívar, now 64, was convicted of first-degree murder and has been serving out a life sentence at Patrick O'Daniel Unit in Gatesville, Texas. In 2024, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles began the process of reviewing her parole eligibility, which included compiling a case file, a recommendation letter from Saldívar, an interview with her, and any letters submitted from Selena's family. This was the first time Saldívar had been up for parole since the killing of the 'Queen of Tejano Music.' In explaining the decision to deny parole, the board said in a statement that the panel found that Saldívar continues to pose a threat to public safety. It also said the nature of the crime indicated 'a conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others.' Saldívar will be eligible to be reviewed again for parole in 2030.
CBC
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Woman who killed singer Selena in 1995 denied parole
The woman convicted of killing Tejano music legend Selena Quintanilla-Pérez has been denied parole and will continue serving a life sentence for fatally shooting the rising young singer at a Texas motel in 1995, the state's parole board announced Thursday. Yolanda Saldívar, 64, was up for parole for the first time since the killing of the singer, known to fans as simply Selena. One of the first Mexican American artists to break into the mainstream music scene, Selena shattered barriers for women in Latin music. She was 23 years old and on the verge of crossing over into English-language pop superstardom when she was killed. The singer's family and Chris Pérez, her widower, expressed gratitude to the Texas Board of Pardon and Paroles. "While nothing can bring Selena back, this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us and from millions of fans around the world far too soon," they said in a statement posted on social media. In explaining the decision to deny parole, the board said in a statement that the panel found that Saldívar continues to pose a threat to public safety. It also said the nature of the crime indicated "a conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others." Saldívar, who is serving her sentence in a Gatesville prison, will be eligible to be reviewed again for parole in 2030. Saldívar founded Selena's fan club and was the manager of the singer's clothing boutiques, Selena Etc., until she was fired in early March 1995 after money was discovered missing. Selena, a Corpus Christi native, was shot in the back with a .38-caliber revolver at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi on March 31, 1995. She was able to run to the motel lobby, where she collapsed, and she was pronounced dead at a hospital an hour later. Motel employees testified that Selena named "Yolanda" in "Room 158" as her attacker. "I didn't mean to do it. I didn't mean to kill anybody," a sobbing Saldívar said during a nine-hour standoff with police. She told officers she had bought the .38-caliber revolver to kill herself. More than 50,000 people lined up to view Selena's body the day before she was laid to rest in Seaside Memorial Park on April 3, 1995, just 13 days before her 24th birthday. Saldívar's trial was moved to Houston because of the publicity surrounding the case. Saldívar testified that she had intended to kill herself during the confrontation with Selena but the gun misfired. On Oct. 23, 1995, a jury convicted Saldívar of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years. While in prison, Saldívar, a former nurse, obtained her paralegal and associate degree in criminal justice. She has filed several civil rights complaints alleging mistreatment by the state's prison system, according to court records, and she also helped other inmates file petitions. In court documents from 2016, Saldívar said she was being held in protective custody — meaning she was segregated from other inmates — because prison officials were concerned for her safety due to the "high profile" nature of her case. She filed several appeals of her conviction, but all were rejected. Known as "the Queen of Tejano," Selena rose to stardom and won a Grammy during a Tejano music boom in the early 1990s. Her hits included Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, Como la Flor, Amor Prohibido, No Me Queda Mas and Tu Solo Tu. She opened the floodgates for a new generation of contemporary artists of Latin descent who would go on to enjoy huge popularity with mainstream American audiences. She often sang in Spanish and spoke in English, reflecting a cross-cultural identity that resonated with listeners. Dreaming of You, her English-language crossover album released a few months after her death, topped the Billboard 200 and featured the hits I Could Fall in Love and Dreaming of You.
