Selena Killer Yolanda Saldívar to Remain in Prison After Being Denied Parole

Yolanda Saldívar, the woman convicted of the 1995 killing of Tejano music legend Selena Quintanilla-Perez, has been denied parole.

Saldívar was sentenced to life in prison, but became eligible for parole consideration once she served 30 years.

After reviewing the case, a three-member panel from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles posted its decision online Thursday, March 27, saying it denied Saldívar’s request because of 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,” the panel said, adding that Saldívar “poses a continuing threat to public safety.”

Saldívar, 64, is next eligible for parole in March 2030.

In a statement to Houston news station KHOU, Selena’s family praised the panel’s decision.

“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,” the statement read.

“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,” the family added.

Selena was born in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1971, and was a rising star when she was killed.

Saldívar was president of the singer’s fan club and had been accused of embezzling more than $60,000 from the club, when she was arrested for killing the beloved singer.

Selena confronted Saldívar on March 31, 1995, in a Corpus Christi hotel room over the missing funds and was fatally shot.

The music icon was just 23 years old at the time of her death.

Saldívar was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole.

In the 2024 Oxygen and Peacock documentary about the case titled Selena and Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them, Saldívar said she was “convicted by public opinion” even before her trial started.

Saldívar has long maintained that she meant to kill herself instead of the singer.

But detectives said in the film that Selena was shot in the doorway of the hotel room, and had been “running away” trying to escape through the courtyard, when Saldívar pointed the gun at her and fired another shot.