The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has denied parole to Yolanda Saldívar, the convicted killer of beloved Mexican American music icon Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, as fans prepare to mark the 30th anniversary of the singer's tragic death.
The board's decision, announced Thursday, stated that Saldívar continues to pose "a threat to public safety." The ruling comes amid heightened attention following a controversial docuseries where Saldívar claimed the shooting was unintentional.
Fans across the country have celebrated the parole denial through social media posts, tribute events, and by revisiting Selena's music catalog. The timing resonates deeply as the March 31st anniversary approaches.
"It is best that Yolanda stays in prison because that crime was more than gun violence," said Lauren Susan, a New York City performer who discovered Selena through the 1997 biopic starring Jennifer Lopez.
The singer's enduring influence spans generations. In Corpus Christi, Texas, considered the heart of Selena fandom, preparations are underway for anniversary commemorations. Local volunteers have restored the bronze Selena statue and refreshed floral displays at her memorial mural.
Selena's impact on Latin music remains strong nearly three decades after her death. According to Billboard's Latin music division, she consistently ranks among the top five Latin female artists on the charts each year.
Dr. Sonya Alemán, who teaches a college course on Selena at the University of Texas at San Antonio, notes that fans view the shooting as "a collective injustice, a collective grief" that affected an entire community.
The Quintanilla family and Chris Pérez, Selena's husband, released a joint statement following the parole decision, thanking fans for their "unwavering support" while encouraging them to "celebrate Selena's life — not the tragedy that took her from us."
From her groundbreaking success in the male-dominated Tejano music scene to her Grammy win in 1994, Selena's story continues to resonate with new audiences who connect with her bicultural identity and artistic legacy.
As fans gather for events like Dallas's 214Selena festival, it's clear that Selena's influence extends far beyond her music, representing a cultural touchstone for Mexican Americans and Latinos while inspiring admirers across all backgrounds.