Singer Selena Quintanilla’s notorious killer, Yolanda Saldívar, has garnered attention as she becomes eligible for parole on March 30. Currently, at 64 years old, she is serving a life sentence for the tragic murder of the beloved singer in 1995. In anticipation of her upcoming parole, a family member of Saldívar shared insights with The New York Post, asserting that the confrontation leading to Selena’s shooting was marked by alleged aggression from the late singer.
On March 31, 1995, Selena Quintanilla was fatally shot in a hotel room in Corpus Christi, Texas. Saldívar, who served as the president of Selena’s fan club, was accused of embezzling $30,000 from the singer, which allegedly led to the fatal confrontation between the two women. During this altercation, Saldívar shot Quintanilla.
Saldívar has consistently denied the embezzlement claims, contending that her actions stemmed from a suicide attempt that inadvertently resulted in Selena’s death. Following the shooting, a lengthy standoff ensued, during which Saldívar barricaded herself behind a pickup truck, ultimately lasting nine and a half hours before surrendering to the police. She was subsequently charged with first-degree murder.
The family member who spoke with the outlet indicated that Saldívar felt overwhelmed by Selena’s perceived aggression during their meeting. They emphasized that although Saldívar bears remorse for her actions, the confrontational manner in which Selena approached her left her “thrown off.”
“[Yolanda] knows what she did was wrong and she takes responsibility for it. But she was reacting to the way she was confronted. She says that [Selena] came at her really aggressively. She was so thrown off with how forceful Selena was being; everything happened so fast. If Selena had confronted her differently, this never would have happened,”they said.
Concerns about Saldívar’s life after her potential release have also been raised, particularly questions surrounding her employment opportunities. According to her family, the stigma of her crime may pose significant challenges in finding work.
“She has a place to live. We have never forsaken her. But I don’t know where she’s going to get a job. Who will hire her?”they asked.
Reflections from Yolanda Saldívar on Selena Quintanilla’s Death
In a recent interview for Oxygen’s docuseries titled Selena & Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them, which aired in February 2024, Saldívar expressed deep regret regarding the incident that claimed Selena’s life. She reiterated her assertion that the shooting was accidental and shared her remorse:
“It startled me. I did not know my gun went off. I did not know that it hit her. It scared her, it scared me. There was never ever any intention to do her any harm. My decisions were my decisions, and the consequences were also mine. I’m regretful for all of that. If I could turn back time, if I could turn the clock, I think a lot of things wouldn’t be as they [are].”
In her emotional address, Saldívar extended her apologies not only to Selena’s family but also to her own. She articulated a heartfelt sentiment, sharing how much she misses Selena and expressing hope in reuniting with her one day:
“I want the people to know I miss Selena just like they do. So much. But I know I will see her again in heaven. I know I will. She didn’t deserve to die. I am so sorry that she’s gone. I’m so sorry that her family is hurting. And I’m so sorry that my family is hurt. At no point did I mean to hurt anyone.”
Reacting to the docuseries, Selena Quintanilla’s father, Abraham Quintanilla, publicly condemned Saldívar’s claims. He voiced his disbelief in Saldívar’s narrative, stating:
“No one’s gonna believe what she has to say anyway. Everyone knows there’s zero truth to anything that comes out of her mouth.”
The docuseries Selena & Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them premiered on February 17, 2024, and is currently available for streaming on platforms including DIRECTV, Peacock TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Apple TV.