Selena remembered on 31st anniversary of her death a year after her killer Yolanda Saldívar was denied parole

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Today marks the 31st anniversary of the death of Selena Quintanilla, the beloved ‘Queen of Tejano’ music, who tragically passed away at just 23 years old. People are remembering and celebrating her life and legacy.

As a lot of you know, I’m a huge fan of Selena, and it’s still so heartbreaking to talk about how her life was tragically cut short. She was at the peak of her career with songs like ‘Como la flor’ and ‘Dreaming of You’ when, on March 31, 1995, she was murdered in Corpus Christi, Texas. The person responsible was Yolanda Saldívar, who, incredibly, was the president of Selena’s fan club. It’s a truly devastating story that still resonates with so many of us.

Yolanda was found guilty of murder for shooting the singer during a violent encounter at a motel. She received a life sentence and was recently denied release on parole.

As the anniversary of her death approached, Selena’s husband, Chris Perez, and her siblings, A.B. and Suzette Quintanilla, remembered and honored the late singer on Monday.

Chris shared on Instagram that this time of year is always hard for those who cared about her, but he’s incredibly proud of the impact she’s had and the wonderful things that have come from her life.

I’m feeling a lot of sadness, but also a lot of gratitude. It might sound strange, but I know you feel it too. I’m so thankful that you all continue to celebrate and honor Selena’s memory so passionately and openly!

Let’s continue to honor her. Her memory and everything she achieved should be remembered for many years to come.

Selena’s brother, A.B., posted a touching message and picture of his sister while her song, “Dreaming of You,” was playing.

A.B. shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, simply stating, ‘I miss you every day.’ He finished with a purple heart emoji and the hashtags #love, #live, and #music.

Suzette also shared a photo of her sister along with a video of a white rose. 

‘Forever with me,’ she captioned the post. 

On Sunday, she encouraged her fans to embrace love fully, sharing a thoughtful message about how precious and fleeting life can be.

Life is unpredictable. A single phone call, a medical diagnosis, or any surprising event can instantly alter everything.

Life offers no certainties. We can’t take time, our health, or the people we cherish for granted. That’s why it’s so important to love fully and appreciate everything deeply, because things we consider ordinary today could become precious memories tomorrow.

Selena was fatally shot at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi by Yolanda Saldivar, a woman who previously managed Selena’s fan club and her clothing boutique, Selena Etc.

As a lot of you know, the loss of Selena was truly heartbreaking. I remember so vividly when her father, Abraham Quintanilla, spoke to the press after she was tragically taken from us. He was understandably devastated, and his voice broke as he shared the news – he simply said, ‘Our Selena was killed this morning by a disgruntled employee.’ It was a moment that seared itself into all of our memories, and a testament to the profound love he had for his daughter.

Yolanda became eligible for parole for the first time in 2023, nearly thirty years after her 1995 sentencing, but her request was denied.

Selena’s family expressed their relief that the parole board denied Yolanda’s release. Yolanda, age 65, won’t be considered for parole again until March 2030.

As a lifelong Selena fan, I was so relieved to hear the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied parole for Yolanda Saldívar. Selena’s family and Chris Pérez released a statement today, and it really resonated with me. They said that while it won’t bring Selena back, this decision feels like a continued acknowledgment of the injustice of her death – not just for them, but for all of us who loved her and still miss her dearly. It’s a small comfort, but it means a lot to know that justice is still being sought for such a beautiful life taken so tragically.

Selena is remembered for her kindness, incredible music, and the way she inspired others. She embraced life with happiness, always thought of others, and continues to encourage people through her music and positive energy, they added.

We, her family and friends, will always remember her and make sure her story is told with the respect it deserves.

Selena’s family expressed their gratitude for the constant support of her fans, saying their love has been a comfort during a difficult time. They asked that everyone remember and celebrate Selena’s life, rather than focus on the sadness of her passing, and encouraged fans to do the same.

Oh my gosh, Selena was HUGE even before she was taken from us, seriously one of the biggest Mexican-American singers ever! But after… after she passed, it was like her legend just exploded. Everyone realized just how important she was to Latin music and especially Tejano – she became even more of an icon, it’s incredible!

As a lifestyle expert, I remember being so moved when Selena’s Dreaming Of You album came out in July of 1995. It wasn’t just a beautiful tribute to her, but a historic moment! It went straight to number one on the Billboard 200 chart, which was a first ever for a Latin artist – truly groundbreaking and a testament to her incredible talent and impact.

The 1997 film Selena not only celebrated the life and music of the beloved singer, but also launched Jennifer Lopez’s career with her starring role as Selena.

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2026-04-01 02:19