Nearly four weeks after influencer Valeria Márquez’s killing in Zapopan, authorities report no suspects in custody amid slow investigative progress.
Almost one month after the high‐profile murder of social media influencer Valeria Márquez in Zapopan, Jalisco, no arrests have been made, Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office sources confirmed on June 5, 2025. Alfonso Gutiérrez Santillán, the Vice‐Prosecutor for Criminal Investigation, acknowledged the lack of significant advances and warned that “complex investigative hurdles” continue to stall progress in the case.
María González, the mother of 24‐year‐old Valeria Márquez, has publicly criticized the pace of the inquiry. On May 7—shortly after her daughter’s body was found in a residential alleyway—González pleaded for swift justice. “Valeria was beloved by thousands online and her loss is a tragedy for our entire community,” she said. “Each day without an arrest intensifies our anguish.” Local human rights advocates echoed her sentiment, urging transparency and accountability.
According to the official incident report, Márquez disappeared on the night of April 7, 2025, after leaving a friend’s gathering in the Lomas del Valle neighborhood. Surveillance footage captured her vehicle heading south on Avenida López Mateos. By 8:30 PM, she had failed to respond to multiple calls, prompting her family to file a missing‐person report. Two days later, authorities discovered her body near a storm drain, bearing signs of strangulation. Preliminary forensics identified defensive wounds, indicating a violent struggle.
Despite collecting DNA samples from multiple locations—her car, nearby garbage bins, and potential crime scenes—investigators have not publicly disclosed suspects or motives. The Prosecutor’s Office cited inconsistent witness testimonies and a lack of corroborating evidence as challenges. “We need more robust forensics and reliable eyewitness accounts to build a solid case,” Gutiérrez explained. “Rushing to arrest without proof risks wrongful detention and jeopardizes our credibility.”
Civil society groups in Jalisco, including Derechos Humanos Zapopan, have demanded the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee the investigation. They argue that “high‐profile cases must be handled with extra scrutiny to ensure no political or personal bias influences outcomes.” Last week, a petition circulated to convene a meeting between state officials, federal investigators, and victim advocates—but the Prosecutor’s Office has yet to respond.
Mayor Luis Ramírez, whose administration has faced public pressure to guarantee citizen safety, publicly stated on June 4 that local police have devoted additional resources to the case. “Our homicide division is collaborating closely with state forensics,” he said. “We have deployed eight uniformed homicide detectives and three crime‐scene analysts to focus solely on Valeria’s killing.” While meant to reassure, his remarks did little to quell critics who point to systemic delays in processing evidence, such as awaiting toxicology results.
Social media continues to amplify demands for justice. The hashtag #JusticiaParaValeria trended for multiple days across Twitter and Instagram, as users shared photos and testimonials of Márquez’s community work promoting mental health awareness among youth. “She used her platform to uplift others; now it’s our turn to lift her memory,” wrote one user. Virtual vigils and candlelight ceremonies are planned this weekend at the Glorieta Chapalita, where residents will gather to demand accountability.
As of June 5, the Prosecutor’s Office had not released an updated timeline for progress. Family attorneys have filed a writ of “amparo” (constitutional protection) in the state court, seeking to compel a faster, more transparent investigation. “If authorities cannot guarantee our right to due process, we will escalate to federal courts,” said González’s attorney, Karina Villanueva. Meanwhile, forensic teams continue to examine surveillance footage from restaurants and traffic cameras along López Mateos corridor. Each frame is scrutinized for any sign of suspicious activity between 7:00 PM and midnight on April 7.
Until solid leads emerge—such as DNA matches or verifiable eyewitness statements—Valeria Márquez’s case remains unresolved. Her family and thousands of supporters vow to keep pressure on the Jalisco authorities until someone is held responsible. In a state that has seen rising femicide rates, the outcome of this investigation will be closely watched as a barometer for the justice system’s ability to protect and serve vulnerable citizens.
