Texas Parole Board Denies Release of Yolanda Saldívar, Convicted Murderer of Tejano Icon Selena, Citing Public Safety Concerns

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has announced that Yolanda Saldívar, the woman convicted of murdering Tejano music icon Selena Quintanilla Pérez in 1995, has been denied parole. Saldívar, who was the president of Selena’s fan club, was found guilty of fatally shooting the singer at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi on March 31, 1995. The board’s decision means that Saldívar, now 64, will remain incarcerated at the Patrick L. O’Daniel Unit in Gatesville, Texas.

In a statement released on Thursday, the parole board explained its decision to deny Saldívar’s parole request. The board cited the nature of the crime, describing it as having “elements of brutality, violence, assaultive behavior or conscious selection of victim’s vulnerability.” This characterization led the board to conclude that Saldívar poses a “continuing threat to public safety,” thereby justifying the denial of her parole.

The board’s decision followed a comprehensive review process, which included the examination of all available information and any confidential interviews conducted. As a result of this review, the board determined that Saldívar should not be granted parole at this time. Her next parole review is scheduled for March 2030, at which point her case will be re-evaluated.

Selena Quintanilla Pérez, often referred to as the “Queen of Tejano” music, was a beloved Mexican-American singer-songwriter whose death at the age of 23 shocked fans worldwide. Her legacy continues to influence the music industry, and her story remains a significant part of popular culture.