Yolanda Saldívar, convicted of murdering Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in 1995, now claims the singer is partly responsible for her own death. As her parole eligibility date of March 30, 2025, approaches, these assertions have reignited public interest and controversy.
Saldívar’s Allegations Against Selena
According to Saldívar’s family, she believes Selena’s aggressive confrontation over embezzlement allegations led to the tragic outcome. A family member stated, “She says that [Selena] came at her really aggressively.” They added, “She was so thrown off with how forceful Selena was being; everything happened so fast.” Saldívar acknowledges her wrongdoing but insists the incident might not have occurred if Selena had approached her differently. The family member noted, “She knows what she did was wrong and she takes responsibility for it, but she was reacting to the way she was confronted.”
Parole Considerations
Saldívar, now 64, has served nearly 30 years of her life sentence and is eligible for parole. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles is reviewing her application, with a hearing expected at the end of March. Her family supports her release, believing she has paid her debt to society. They have plans to provide her with a home and hope she can find employment upon release.
Public Reaction
The public remains deeply divided over Saldívar’s potential parole and her recent statements. Many fans of Selena are outraged by the implication that the singer bore any responsibility for her own death. Former inmates have revealed that there’s a “bounty on her head” within the prison, indicating the depth of animosity toward Saldívar.
As the parole hearing approaches, these developments have sparked renewed discussions about the circumstances surrounding Selena’s death and the accountability of those involved.