Colombian Influencer Shot Dead by Fake Delivery Man in Suspected Femicide
A 22-year-old social media influencer Maria Jose Estupinan was shot dead at her residence in Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, on May 15.
According to authorities, the assailant posed as a delivery person before fatally shooting the young woman multiple times.
Estupinan was rushed to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. Security footage reportedly captured the harrowing moment, with the sounds of her screams audible as the gunman fled the scene.
Also Read: WATCH: Popular Mexican Influencer Murdered During Live TikTok Session
Police Investigating Suspected Femicide
Authorities are now treating the case as a potential femicide.
Colonel Leonardo Capacho, commander of District One of the Cúcuta Metropolitan Police, confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.
“We are verifying. The Judicial Police has already begun carrying out the necessary activities to identify and determine the whereabouts of the person who shot this young woman,” he said in a statement to Noticias Caracol.
Capacho also revealed that the suspect could be Estupinan’s former partner, who had a history of violence.
“It could be an alleged femicide, since she filed several complaints for domestic violence in previous years, but that is a matter of investigation,” he said.
Victim Recently Won Abuse Case
Adding to the tragedy, Estupinan’s killing occurred just one day after she reportedly won a domestic violence case against her ex-partner. She had been set to receive a reward of 30 million pesos for the outcome of the case.
Alejandra Vera, director of the women’s rights group Mujer Denuncia y Muévete (“Women Report and Move”), confirmed that Estupinan had taken steps to protect herself.
“She reported it to the authorities. By filing a complaint, she activated the route, requested assistance and requested full protection and security, and above all, that she could enjoy a life free of violence,” Vera stated.
Second Influencer Killed in Same Week
Estupinan’s death comes just two days after a similar killing in Mexico. On May 13, 23-year-old influencer Valeria Marquez was fatally shot while livestreaming from her beauty salon in Jalisco.
In a chilling parallel, Marquez had previously expressed fear after a man pretending to be a delivery driver showed up asking for her.
Shortly before her death, she addressed her concerns in a livestream, saying,
“Maybe they were going to kill me. Were they going to come and take me away, or what?”