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Netflix's 2025 documentary, "Selena y Los Dinos," delves into the tragic murder of pop icon Selena Quintanilla, who was killed by her former friend and business associate, Yolanda Saldívar.
Known as the "Queen of Tejano Music," Quintanilla had just turned 23 when she was fatally shot in Corpus Christi, Texas, in March 1995. Saldívar, who had been a close confidante and the president of Selena’s fan club, was accused of misappropriating significant funds from the singer’s ventures just months prior to the incident.
In the wake of the public uproar following Quintanilla's death, the medical examiners in Nueces County, Texas, agreed to perform an autopsy within three hours of her passing. The subsequent coroner's report eventually concluded that Quintanilla's death was a homicide, despite Saldívar's assertion that the shooting was accidental.
The report shed light on the intense final encounter between Quintanilla and Saldívar, revealing how their disputes culminated in a tragic act of violence.
Continue reading for deeper insights into the circumstances surrounding Quintanilla’s death and the findings of her autopsy.
What Motivated Yolanda Saldívar to Kill Selena?
Initially, Yolanda Saldívar was simply a follower of Selena Quintanilla. She later persuaded the singer's father, Abraham Quintanilla, to allow her to establish a fan club in San Antonio, Texas, after attending a concert where Selena performed.
Saldívar formed a strong bond with Quintanilla, especially as the fan club gained popularity. In 1994, she became the manager of the family-run boutique, Selena Etc, located in Corpus Christi.
However, their once positive personal and professional ties soured in early 1995 when the family learned that Saldívar had embezzled substantial amounts from both the fan club and the boutique. She was subsequently dismissed from her position at the store and lost her role as president of Selena’s fan club in March 1995.
In the days preceding the murder, Saldívar acquired a Taurus Model 85 .38-caliber revolver from a San Antonio shooting range named A Place to Shoot, later returning it, only to reacquire the weapon shortly before the tragic event.
On March 30, Saldívar checked into the Days Inn hotel and contacted Selena, claiming she had been a victim of rape. She allegedly begged Selena to visit her alone in her hotel room to discuss some financial matters.
Despite Saldívar's requests, Selena arrived at the meeting accompanied by her husband, Chris Pérez. Pérez agreed to wait by their car, but after their meeting, Selena realized Saldívar had failed to provide the necessary documentation.
On March 31, 1995, Selena informed business associate Leonard Wong about her intention to meet with Saldívar once more to collect perfume samples and the correct financial records.
When Selena returned to the Days Inn later that day, she agreed to take Saldívar to the hospital for a rape examination. However, medical staff later indicated that the examination would need to take place at a different location.
Subsequently, Selena and Saldívar went back to the Days Inn.
What Were the Circumstances of Selena Quintanilla's Death?
Upon returning to the hotel, Selena repeated her request for Saldívar to provide the financial documentation. In response, Saldívar retrieved a Taurus Model 85 .38-caliber revolver and shot Selena in the shoulder.
Injured, Selena fled to the hotel lobby seeking assistance, while Saldívar pursued her, shouting insults. Selena was quickly transported to Corpus Christi Memorial Hospital, where she was declared dead at approximately 1:05 p.m. on March 31, 1995.
Simultaneously, Saldívar was involved in a standoff with law enforcement after she refused to leave her vehicle in the Days Inn parking area. Initially, she threatened to end her life but eventually gave in to FBI agents following a tense 10-hour standoff.
Saldívar faced charges of first-degree murder and entered a plea of not guilty. During the trial, she asserted that the incident was a tragic accident. In October 1995, she was found guilty.
Later in October 1995, Saldívar received a life sentence with the eligibility for parole. She is currently incarcerated in a women’s prison located in Gatesville, Texas.
Saldívar did apply for parole in December 2024; however, her application was rejected in March 2025. As of the latest update, she remains imprisoned.
What Did Selena Quintanilla’s Autopsy Uncover Regarding Her Passing?
Due to significant public interest, the medical examiner's office in Nueces County, Texas, agreed to expedite Selena’s autopsy a mere three hours following her death.
Us Weekly secured the original report from 1995, which verified that Selena succumbed to a gunshot wound in her lower right shoulder. Her death was classified as homicide.
The coroner confirmed that the cause of death was due to “exsanguinating internal and external [bleeding] following [a] perforating gunshot wound” to the chest.
“It is my conclusion that Selena Quintanilla Pérez, a 23-year-old female, died from exsanguinating internal and external hemorrhage, or massive bleeding, due to a perforating gunshot wound of the thorax (chest),” stated coroner Lloyd White.
The coroner's report indicated that the bullet entered through Selena’s back. The bullet’s trajectory was traced from her ribs to the “upper pulmonary lobe,” and it subsequently penetrated “the chest wall.” An exit wound was observed on the “upper right anterior chest.”
It was noted by the coroner that the bullet significantly damaged Selena’s subclavian artery, leading to her death. Additionally, the report mentioned that “blood [was] present over various areas of the clothing” Selena had on at the time of her passing.
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