Mexican beauty influencer Valeria Marquez shot dead during TikTok live stream

A young Mexican social media influencer, known for her videos about beauty and make-up, was brazenly shot to death during a TikTok live stream, in an incident that sent shock waves through a country that faces high levels of gender-based violence.

The death of Valeria Marquez, 23, is being investigated according to protocols for femicide – the killing of women or girls for reasons of gender – the Jalisco state prosecutor said in a statement released on Tuesday evening.

Femicide can involve degrading violence, sexual abuse, a relationship with the murderer, or the victim’s body being exposed in a public space, according to Mexican authorities.

Marquez was killed on Tuesday in the beauty salon where she worked in the city of Zapopan by a man who entered and shot her, the statement said. The prosecutor’s office did not name a suspect.

Seconds before the incident, Marquez was seen on her TikTok live stream seated at a table clutching a stuffed toy. She was heard saying, “they’re coming”, before a voice in the background asked: “Hey, Vale?”

“Yes,” Marquez replied, just before muting the sound on the live stream.