For many, Selena Quintanilla was more than a pop star — she was a symbol of pride, culture, and crossover magic. A Grammy-winning Tejano singer whose star was only rising, her life was cut tragically short in 1995. Now, nearly three decades later, her killer Yolanda Saldívar has been denied parole.
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The news has stirred a wave of emotions among fans and the late singer's loved ones. Here’s everything we know about the parole decision, and how Selena’s family reacted.
Selena Quintanilla's killer Yolanda Saldívar denied parole
As reported by Mirror and 6abc, the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole has officially denied early release for Yolanda Saldívar, who was convicted of the 1995 murder of Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla. Saldívar, now 64, had reached her eligibility for parole 30 years after her sentencing. The panel cited the brutal nature of the crime as their main reason for denial.
According to a statement shared with People, the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole explained their decision to reject Saldivar's parole request:
After a thorough consideration of all available information, which included any confidential interviews conducted, it was the parole panels determination to deny parole to Yolanda Saldivar and set her next parole review for March 2030.
According to the board, the offence included ‘brutality, violence, assaultive behaviour or conscious selection of victim's vulnerability,’ indicating Saldívar still posed ‘a continuing threat to public safety.’
Saldívar had been the manager of Selena’s boutiques and fan club president before she was fired over alleged embezzlement of $30,000. On March 31, 1995, Selena met Saldívar at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi, Texas, to collect tax documents. There, she was fatally shot in the back with a .38-calibre revolver. Selena managed to run to the lobby, where she named Saldívar as the shooter before collapsing. She was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after.
Saldívar later claimed the shooting was accidental and insisted during her trial that she had intended to kill herself using the gun. Despite multiple appeals and claims of unfair treatment, Saldívar remains incarcerated at the Patrick L. O'Daniel prison unit in Texas.
Selena's family's emotional reaction to the decision
Following the announcement, Selena’s family issued a heartfelt statement expressing their gratitude and continued commitment to honouring her memory. expressing their gratitude and continued commitment to honouring her memory.
The family wrote on Selena's official Instagram account:
Today, we are grateful that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has chosen to deny parole for Yolanda Saldívar.
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 highlighted Selena's enduring legacy as one of ‘love, music, and inspiration.’ The statement also added how she ‘lived with joy, gave selflessly, and continues to uplift generations with her voice and her spirit.’
Their message ended with a tribute to the unwavering support of fans.
Prior to the parole board reaching its decision, Carlos Valdez, the former district attorney who led the prosecution in the case, expressed his belief that releasing Saldívar on parole would be ‘a serious mistake.’ Valdez said, as quoted by People:
Lord knows what will happen if she is released. Based on what I've seen so far, I think it would be a serious mistake to grant her parole. I believe, I really believe, that the safest for Yolanda would probably be where she is.
Selena’s family and husband: Everything we know about them
According to People, Selena’s close-knit family has worked tirelessly to preserve her legacy. Her parents, Abraham and Marcella Quintanilla, have remained pillars of support for Selena’s fans. Abraham, a former musician himself, managed her career and formed the band Selena y Los Dinos, which included her siblings A.B. and Suzette.
A.B. Quintanilla, her brother, was instrumental in shaping her music and producing her albums. Suzette, who played drums in the band, has continued to champion Selena’s memory through various media projects. Together, they produced the 1997 film Selena and Netflix’s 2020 biographical series, Selena: The Series.
Their dedication extends beyond the screen. A.B. produced Selena’s posthumous album 'Moonchild Mixes' in 2022, and their father penned a memoir chronicling her life. In 2017, Abraham told Entertainment Tonight:
In my mind, she’s still alive, because you get involved with all her things and doing things for her every day that sometimes I forget that she’s not here with us anymore.
Her siblings now have children of their own. A.B. is a father to eight, and Suzette has one son, Jovan Arriaga. Suzette once noted Jovan ‘carries my sister's smile.’
Selena’s husband, Chris Pérez, whom she eloped with in 1992, has also continued to celebrate her life. Chris joined her band as a guitarist in 1990, and their love story blossomed on a trip to Mexico. Despite initial objections from her father, the couple wed in secret.
Chris has spoken openly about the lasting impact of Selena’s death. He told E! Entertainment:
I miss her face, her laughter. She was just an amazing soul, an amazing spirit.
He wrote a memoir titled To Selena, with Love.
After her death, he went on to marry again in 2001, but it ended in divorce in 2008. Despite moving forward, Chris has credited Selena for shaping his emotional growth and ability to love.
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Sources used:
Mirror: Selena Quintanilla's killer Yolanda Saldivar denied parole after 1995 murder
6abc: 30 years after music icon Selena's murder, Yolanda Saldívar was denied parole
People: Selena Quintanilla's Family 'Grateful' After Her Killer Yolanda Saldívar Denied Parole
People: Selena Quintanilla's Family: All About the Late Singer's Parents and Siblings
People: Who Is Selena Quintanilla’s Husband? All About Chris Pérez
