The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has denied parole for Yolanda Saldívar, the woman serving a life sentence for the 1995 murder of Tejano music icon Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. Saldívar was convicted of fatally shooting the beloved singer at a Corpus Christi Days Inn on March 31, 1995, and became eligible for parole after 30 years. However, after a thorough review, the parole board ruled against her release.
“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 Saldívar and set her next parole review for March 2030,” the board stated. According to NBC News, the board also cited the “brutality, violence, and assaultive behavior” of the crime as reasons for denial, adding that Saldívar’s actions showed a “conscious disregard” for the safety of others and that she posed a “continuing threat to public safety.”
The decision was met with gratitude from Selena’s family, who released a heartfelt statement on Instagram. “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 wrote. “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.”
They also expressed appreciation for the unwavering support from Selena’s fans, encouraging them to celebrate her life rather than dwell on the unforgettable tragedy.
Saldívar was once a trusted figure in Selena’s inner circle, serving as president of her fan club and managing two of her clothing boutiques. However, tensions arose in early 1995 when Selena’s family accused her of embezzling money, leading to her being fired. Shortly after, she lured Selena to the motel under the pretense of returning financial documents, but instead, she shot the 23-year-old singer in the back.
Selena, gravely wounded, managed to identify Saldívar as the shooter before collapsing in the lobby. Meanwhile, Saldívar barricaded herself in a truck outside, threatening to take her own life before eventually surrendering.
During her trial, Saldívar maintained that she never intended to kill Selena, claiming the gun discharged accidentally as she planned to end her own life. A jury found her guilty of first-degree murder in October 1995, sentencing her to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Selena, often referred to as the “Queen of Tejano Music,” left an indelible mark on the industry with hits like “Dreaming of You,” “No Me Queda Más,” and “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom.” In 1994, she won a Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Album for Live, further cementing her legacy. Her life and career was immortalized in the 1997 biopic Selena, starring Jennifer Lopez.
Ahead of her parole eligibility, Saldívar resurfaced in the public eye in the 2024 Oxygen docuseries Selena & Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them. In it, she continued to deny the embezzlement accusations and made the shocking, baseless claim that she was covering up an extramarital affair Selena was allegedly having. The documentary sparked outrage among fans even before its release.
With her parole officially denied, Saldívar will remain behind bars until at least her next review in 2030.
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