Fan Frenzy Ends Selena’s Life
Fatal Trust in a Fan
Selena Quintanilla, the Queen of Tejano music, was murdered by Yolanda Saldívar, the president of her fan club, on March 31, 1995. Saldívar, who had been embezzling money from the fan club, shot Selena in a fit of rage when confronted about the theft. The betrayal was particularly shocking as Saldívar had gained Selena’s trust and admiration, only to turn that trust into a deadly weapon.
Drama at the Days Inn
The confrontation took place at a Days Inn motel, where Selena was trying to retrieve financial records. Saldívar’s desperate act of violence ended the life of a beloved artist who had touched many hearts. The shock of her death reverberated through the music industry, revealing the dark side of fan devotion gone horribly wrong, forever changing the landscape of Tejano music.