Selena Quintanilla’s untimely death in 1995 sent shockwaves through the music industry, leaving fans devastated. What added to the tragedy was the fact that the person responsible for this heinous act was none other than Yolanda Saldívar, the former president of Selena’s fan club. But who is Yolanda Saldívar, and where is she now?
Who is Yolanda Saldivar?
Born on September 19, 1960, in San Antonio, Texas, Yolanda Saldívar was a registered nurse before she entered Selena’s orbit. After attending one of Selena’s concerts, she reached out to Abraham Quintanilla, Selena’s father, expressing her interest in starting a fan club. This marked the beginning of a relationship that would take a dark turn.
Saldívar became deeply ingrained in Selena’s life, not just as a fan club president but as a close friend and business associate. She was eventually promoted to the position of manager for Selena’s clothing boutiques, Selena, etc., providing her access to the singer’s business affairs.
According to those close to Selena, Saldívar began displaying obsessive behavior. Martin Gomez, Selena’s fashion designer, recounted, “She’d get, like, very angry if you crossed her.” Gomez further explained the mind games and strange incidents that occurred in the clothing boutique.
The Crimes of Yolanda Saldívar
In early 1995, suspicions arose about Saldívar embezzling money from Selena’s businesses. Abraham Quintanilla, Selena, and her sister Suzette confronted Saldívar on March 9, accusing her of theft. This confrontation led to Saldívar’s firing.
Just two days later, Saldívar applied for a gun permit and purchased the weapon that would later take Selena’s life. On March 31, 1995, at a motel in Corpus Christi, Saldívar shot Selena during a meeting where Selena sought to retrieve financial records. The bullet severed an artery, leading to Selena’s tragic death.
Where Is Selena’s Killer Yolanda Saldivar Now?
Currently serving a life sentence at the Patrick O’Daniel Unit in Gatesville, Texas, operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Saldívar is set to be eligible for parole on March 30, 2025.
Despite the severity of her crime, Saldívar has maintained her innocence. In a 1995 interview with ABC’s “20/20,” she claimed, “They made me out to be a monster, and I just want to say, I did not kill Selena. It was an accident, and my conscience is clear.”
In a recent development, Saldívar breaks her silence almost 30 years after Selena’s murder in the Oxygen True Crime docuseries, “Selena & Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them.” This series delves into the intricate dynamics of their professional and personal relationship. Additionally, Saldívar’s family speaks out for the first time, revealing documents and recordings to shed light on the tragedy.
While the world continues to remember Selena Quintanilla for her contributions to music, the saga surrounding Yolanda Saldívar serves as a stark reminder of the darker aspects that can lurk behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.