Parole Denied for Woman Convicted of Selena’s Murder

GATESVILLE, TX — Yolanda Saldívar, the woman convicted of murdering Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in 1995, was denied parole Thursday, nearly 30 years after the killing.

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles reviewed Saldívar’s case this week but ultimately rejected her request. A panel of three parole officers voted and accepted the majority decision to deny release. 

Saldívar, 64, is serving a life sentence at the Patrick L. O’Daniel prison unit in Gatesville. She was convicted of first-degree murder after shooting the 23-year-old singer at a Corpus Christi motel on March 31, 1995. At the time, Saldívar was the president of Selena’s fan club and had been confronted about embezzling more than $30,000.

She was sentenced on Oct. 23, 1995, with parole eligibility after 30 years. Although her parole eligibility date was listed as March 30, 2025, legal experts said a denial was expected.

Selena, often called the “Queen of Tejano,” became the first female Tejano artist to win a Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Album and left a lasting legacy in the music world.

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles typically begins the parole process six months ahead of an inmate’s eligibility date. There is currently no date scheduled for Saldívar’s next parole review.