Selena Quintanilla’s killer, Yolanda Saldívar, denied parole, next eligibility in 2030

The woman serving a life sentence for killing singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez was denied parole, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles said in a statement Thursday. 

Yolanda Saldívar was the president of Selena’s fan club and shot and killed the American singer-songwriter on March 31, 1995.

The board gave the following reasoning to deny Saldívar’s request: “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, such that the offender poses a continuing threat to public safety.” 

Saldívar, now 64, is serving a life sentence at the Patrick L. O’Daniel Unit in Gatesville for killing the singer. Saldívar shot Selena in a Corpus Christi hotel room after being confronted for embezzling money from Selena’s fan club and clothing boutiques. 

The parole panel denied parole this time, but has set her next parole review for March 2030. 

March 31, 2025 is the 30th anniversary of Selena’s death.