Yolanda Saldívar, convicted of killing Selena in 1995, has been denied parole by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Her next review is set for 2030.
Texas Denies Parole for Yolanda Saldívar in Selena’s Murder Case
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has officially denied Yolanda Saldívar’s parole request, nearly 30 years after she was convicted of killing Selena Quintanilla. The decision, made after a thorough review of her case, sets her next eligibility for parole in March 2030.
A Look Back at the Tragic Killing of Selena
Selena Quintanilla, known as the “Queen of Tejano Music”, was fatally shot on March 31, 1995, at a Corpus Christi motel by Yolanda Saldívar, the former president of her fan club and manager of her boutiques. Following allegations of embezzlement, Selena’s family fired Saldívar, leading to the confrontation that resulted in Selena’s death.
According to court records, Selena was shot in the back before running toward the motel lobby, where she collapsed. Saldívar then barricaded herself in a vehicle and threatened suicide before surrendering to the police.
The Conviction and Parole Decision
In October 1995, a jury found Yolanda Saldívar guilty of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
Earlier this year, Saldívar filed a petition for parole, but after reviewing all case details, the parole board denied her release. Their decision was based on the “nature of the offense, brutality, and continued threat to public safety.”
Selena’s Legacy and Continued Impact
Despite her tragic death, Selena’s music remains timeless. Her hit song “Dreaming of You” climbed the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1995, and she won a Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Album in 1994. Her life and career were memorialized in the 1997 film “Selena”, starring Jennifer Lopez.
In a 2024 documentary, “Selena & Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them”, Saldívar made controversial claims about the singer, sparking backlash from fans.
Now, with Saldívar’s parole denied, many believe justice for killing Selena remains intact.0