Yahoo Lifestyle Selena’s Murderer Yolanda Saldívar Denied Parole–When Is She Eligible Again?
Selena Quintanilla's murderer, Yolanda Saldívar, will continue to serve her life sentence for the singer's murder after seeking parole.
At the end of this month, the 64-year-old convicted killer will have served 30 years for the murder of the "Dreaming of You" songstress, making her eligible for parole for the first time.
But on Thursday, March 27, she was denied parole, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles said in a statement.
"After a thorough consideration of all available information, which included any confidential interviews conducted, it was the parole panel's determination to deny parole to Yolanda Saldívar," the board said, explaining the decision was based on the "nature of the offense."
"The record indicates that the instant offense has elements of brutality, violence, assaultive behavior or conscious selection of victim’s vulnerability indicating a conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others, such that the offender poses a continuing threat to public safety," the board said in part.
When is Yolanda Saldívar eligible for parole review again?
The next time Saldívar would be eligible for parole review is five years from now, in March 2030, per the Texas board.
What was Yolanda Saldívar convicted of?
In 1995, Saldívar was convicted of Murder with a Deadly Weapon and sentenced to life in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Institutional Division after she shot and killed the singer-songwriter on March 31, 1995.
Before murdering the young artist, who was just 23 at the time of her death, Saldívar served as the president of Selena's fan club, as well as the manager of her Selena Etc. boutiques.
But employees soon began complaining about Saldívar's apparently "bizarre" and "obsessive" behavior, and shortly before Selena's death, her father Abraham Quintanilla Jr. said he heard from fans who claimed to have paid into the singer's fan club but never got anything in return. The Quintanilla family estimated Saldívar had embezzled over $30,000 and fired her for such.
Saldívar then concocted a story, manipulating Selena to come to a motel where she allegedly had tax and financial documents the family needed, and when the singer attempted to retrieve them is when she was murdered.
What did Selena's family say about Yolanda Saldívar's 2025 parole denial?
Hours after the news broke, the late Grammy winner's family–including her husband, Chris Pérez–broke their silence, sharing an emotional statement on Instagram, writing, "Today, we are grateful that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has chosen to deny parole for Yolanda Saldívar. While nothing can bring Selena back, this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us and from millions of fans around the world far too soon."
"Selena’s legacy is one of love, music, and inspiration. She lived with joy, gave selflessly, and continues to uplift generations with her voice and her spirit. As her family and loved ones, we remain committed to preserving her memory and ensuring that her story is honored with the dignity and respect it deserves. We thank Selena’s fans for their unwavering support throughout the years. Your love has been a source of strength and healing," the family added.
"We will continue to celebrate Selena’s life - not the tragedy that took her from us — and we ask that all who cherish her do the same," the statement concluded.
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Selena's story has been the subject of several TV docuseries and a full-length film starring Jennifer Lopez. In Texas, there are several murals, statues, and other tributes honoring the musician's legacy.
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