Corpus Christi, Texas. Three decades after the tragic event that marked an entire generation, Yolanda Saldívar—the woman responsible for the death of iconic singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez—faced her first opportunity for parole. However, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied her petition, citing the severity of the crime committed.
Saldívar, now 64, was sentenced to life in prison in 1995 after being found guilty of taking the life of the young Tejano music star. This week, the board ruled that Saldívar continues to pose a threat to public safety, setting her next parole review for March 2030.
According to official documents, the panel considered confidential interviews and all available information before reaching a decision. The case was described as having “elements of brutality, violent and assaultive behavior, and the conscious selection of a vulnerable victim,” showing, the board said, “a conscious disregard for the lives and safety of others.”
Selena, born in 1971, won over the world with her unique blend of Latin sounds such as pop, cumbia, and Tex-Mex. Alongside her siblings A.B. and Suzette, she formed the band Selena y Los Dinos, and quickly rose to become one of the most influential Latina artists of the 1990s. With hits like “Como la Flor,” “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” and “Amor Prohibido,” she broke cultural and language barriers.
In 1994, she won a Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album, becoming the first woman in her genre to earn the award. At just 23 years old, her life and career were cut short when, on March 31, 1995, she went to Room 158 at the Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi to retrieve tax documents. There, after an argument with Saldívar, she was shot in the back with a .38-caliber revolver and later died at a nearby hospital.
Saldívar, a nurse by profession and president of the fan club, was also the manager of Selena’s boutiques. She had been fired weeks earlier for alleged embezzlement. During the trial, which was moved to Houston due to media attention, the defense argued the gun went off accidentally. But the jury found her guilty of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years—eligible in 2025.
Her defense team has made several attempts to overturn the verdict. In 1999 and 2009, appeals were denied, citing procedural errors and alleged violations of her rights. She is currently incarcerated at the Patrick L. O’Daniel Unit in Gatesville, Texas, about 90 minutes north of Austin.
Under Texas law, parole cases are reviewed by a three-member panel without public hearings. Victims or their families may submit written statements or appear privately before the board. If parole is granted, the inmate must comply with special conditions under supervision. If denied, the board sets a new date for the next review.
In Saldívar’s case, she must now wait until March 2030 for a new evaluation, remaining in the custody of the state’s prison system. The governor cannot overrule the board’s decision but may grant clemency if recommended by a majority of the panel.
The Quintanilla family has not released an official statement following the decision. Selena remains an immortal symbol in Latin music and a deeply admired figure for generations across the United States, Mexico, and the world.