Crime
Leaked Messages Between Coworker and Friend Reveal Chilling Setup in Murder of Influencer Valeria Marquez
JALISCO, Mexico — Popular social media influencer Valeria Marquez was tragically killed on May 13 while broadcasting a livestream to her followers from the salon where she worked.
The 23-year-old was gunned down inside Blossom the Beauty Lounge in Jalisco, in an apparent ambush that authorities are now investigating as a femicide.
Marquez, who had nearly 200,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok, was known for her beauty tutorials, lifestyle content, and modeling posts.
On the day of her death, she was live on social media when a man posing as a gift delivery person arrived at the salon.
Moments later, he opened fire, striking her twice in the head and once in the chest, killing her instantly.
Several of her followers reportedly witnessed the horrifying incident as it unfolded on camera.
According to the Jalisco State Attorney General’s Office, the murder is being investigated as femicide, a classification used when women are targeted and killed because of their gender.
Authorities are now focused on unraveling the circumstances leading up to the attack — and disturbing new evidence suggests Marquez may have been set up by individuals close to her.
Emerging evidence includes leaked private messages between two women allegedly linked to Marquez: Erika, who worked with her and was present during the livestream, and Viviana, a friend who had reportedly sent Marquez a coffee and a stuffed animal earlier in the day.
Screenshots of their conversation, allegedly captured shortly before the murder, raise suspicions of a coordinated setup:
- Erika: “Everything has to go well, you understand? You don’t know the amount of trouble you’ll be in if it doesn’t go as planned.”
- Viviana: “Vivi, I’m afraid. What if they do something to me too?”
- Erika: “They won’t do anything to you. Just make sure you’re not next to her when they get there. Turn off her phone when they arrive.”
- Viviana: “Okay, I trust you, but all of this scares me.”
These chilling messages suggest that Marquez was lured into staying at the salon under the pretense of receiving an “expensive gift” — a ploy that allegedly culminated in her execution-style killing.
Witness accounts confirm that Erika, who was with Marquez before and during the livestream, abruptly ended the broadcast moments after the shots were fired.
Police have not yet announced any arrests, but are actively pursuing leads based on digital communications, witness testimony, and surveillance footage.
Authorities are working to verify the authenticity of the leaked messages and determine the roles of the individuals involved.
Valeria Marquez’s death has sparked outrage across social media platforms, with many demanding justice for the young influencer and drawing attention to the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence in Mexico.
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact local authorities.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. — A 23-year-old man from Riverton has died following a shooting at a rural property in Cherokee County, Kansas, and his 19-year-old brother has been booked into jail on a second-degree murder allegation, according to information released by authorities.
The victim was identified as Gannon Reece, 23, of Riverton, Kansas. The suspect was identified as Joshua Wilson, 19, also of Riverton, who is the victim’s brother.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder. Formal charges are expected to be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said the Cherokee County Emergency Communication Center received a 911 call on October 23, 2026, reporting that a person had been shot at 4971 SE 67th, in a rural area of Cherokee County.
Deputies were dispatched to the location to investigate the reported shooting.
When deputies arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services personnel examined the victim and determined that he had died.
The suspect, who authorities later identified as Joshua Wilson, was still at the scene when deputies arrived. Officers immediately detained him as the investigation began.
Authorities subsequently identified the deceased man as Gannon Reece and confirmed that Wilson was his younger brother.
Wilson was booked into the Cherokee County Jail in connection with Reece’s death on suspicion of second-degree murder.
According to the information provided by authorities, formal charges will be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office. The available information does not specify whether prosecutors have formally filed the charges in court or whether Wilson has appeared before a judge.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the circumstances that led to the shooting.
No details have been released about what preceded the incident, whether an argument occurred, or what may have motivated the shooting. Authorities have not provided information about a possible firearm recovery or any other evidence beyond the initial circumstances described in the report.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office.
Investigators are working to determine the full circumstances surrounding Reece’s death and gather evidence relevant to the case.
Authorities have stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Officials also announced a temporary road closure affecting SE Lostine between Highway 69A and SE 60th.
Motorists were advised to use alternate routes until further notice while the closure remained in effect. The information provided did not specify when the roadway would reopen.
Drivers traveling through the area were encouraged to follow local traffic instructions and allow additional time for their journeys.
The fatal shooting has resulted in the death of a young Riverton resident and the arrest of his 19-year-old brother.
While authorities have identified both men and disclosed the booking allegation, several details remain unknown, including the events leading up to the shooting and the formal status of the prosecution.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and Cherokee County Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate.
Joshua Wilson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.