{"id":205705,"date":"2025-11-17T08:00:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T08:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/17\/is-yolanda-saldivar-still-in-prison-where-selenas-killer-is-now\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T08:00:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T08:00:19","slug":"is-yolanda-saldivar-still-in-prison-where-selenas-killer-is-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/17\/is-yolanda-saldivar-still-in-prison-where-selenas-killer-is-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Yolanda Saldivar Still in Prison? Where Selena’s Killer Is Now"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Yolanda Sald\u00edvar<\/strong> was sentenced to life in prison for the 1995 shooting death of her former friend, pop icon Selena Quintanilla<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Once the president of Quintanilla\u2019s fan club, Sald\u00edvar\u2019s relationship with the \u201cI Could Fall in Love\u201d singer soured in early 1995. Selena\u2019s father, Abraham Quintanilla<\/strong>, and their business associates discovered that Sald\u00edvar had allegedly embezzled thousands of dollars from both her fan club and the family\u2019s Corpus Christie, Texas, boutique.<\/p>\n

The dispute led to a deadly showdown between the two women on March 31, 1995, where Sald\u00edvar shot Selena in her hotel room. Sald\u00edvar was charged with first-degree murder and, despite her insistence that the shooting was accidental, was convicted in October 1995.<\/p>\n

The life and tragic death of \u201cThe Queen of Tejano Music\u201d is explored in Netflix\u2019s 2025 documentary Selena y Los Dinos<\/em>, produced by her relatives Suzette Quintanilla<\/strong> and A.B. Quintanilla III<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t
\n Related: <\/span>Jon Seda Is ‘Still Friends’ With Chris Perez After Playing Him in ‘Selena’<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\t\t\tNearly 27 years after Selena hit theaters in March 1997, Jon Seda is still pals with Chris P\u00e9rez, whom he portrayed in the biographical film. \u201cI\u2019m still friends with Chris. Chris is just an amazing guitarist and he\u2019s still out there making his music. Check out his music, it\u2019s incredible,\u201d Seda, 53, exclusively told Us [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Keep scrolling for more information on the shooting \u2014 and where Sald\u00edvar is today.<\/p>\n

Who Is Yolanda Saldivar?<\/h2>\n

Yolanda Sald\u00edvar was born in San Antonio, Texas, on September 19, 1960.<\/p>\n

As a lifelong fan of country music, Sald\u00edvar became interested in tejano music after seeing Selena Quintanilla in concert. She convinced Selena and her father, Abraham Quintanilla, to let her start a fanclub for the musician.<\/p>\n

The fanclub proved to be so successful that the Quintanillas hired Sald\u00edvar to manage their Corpus Christie, Texas, boutique, Selena Etc, in 1994.<\/p>\n

By early 1995, Sald\u00edvar was removed as president of Selena\u2019s fanclub and fired from the boutique after the Quintanillas discovered that she\u2019d stolen thousands of dollars from both organizations.<\/p>\n

Sald\u00edvar was determined to redeem herself in Selena\u2019s eyes, though she developed a violent fixation with her at the same time.<\/p>\n

In the days before the shooting, Sald\u00edvar purchased a Taurus Model 85 .38-caliber revolver from San Antonio gun range A Place to Shoot. She later returned the weapon before purchasing it a second time.<\/p>\n

On March 30, 1995, Sald\u00edvar checked into the Days Inn in Corpus Christie. From her hotel room, she contacted Selena and claimed that she\u2019d been raped.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Is<\/div>

\n Yolanda Saldivar<\/span> TDCJ \/ MEGA<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Selena agreed to meet with Sald\u00edvar in her hotel room so her former friend could turn over crucial financial documents. After the meeting, Selena discovered that Sald\u00edvar had not given her the correct forms.<\/p>\n

The musician consented to meet with Sald\u00edvar once again on March 31, 1995, to retrieve the correct documents. At this second meeting, Selena agreed to drive Sald\u00edvar to Doctors Regional Hospital so she could undergo a rape examination \u2014 though the pair were later informed that the exam would have to be administered elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Once they returned to the Days Inn motel, Sald\u00edvar again asked Sald\u00edvar to turn over financial records. Sald\u00edvar then pulled out her revolver and shot Selena in her lower right shoulder.<\/p>\n

A gravely wounded Selena fled from the hotel room to seek medical help. Selena was rushed to Corpus Christi Memorial Hospital but she was pronounced dead at around 1:05 p.m. local time.<\/p>\n

Was Yolanda Saldivar Convicted of Killing Selena Quintanilla?<\/h2>\n

Yes, Sald\u00edvar was convicted of first-degree murder in October 1995.<\/p>\n

Sald\u00edvar initially tried to flee the Days Inn parking lot after the shooting on March 31, 1995, but authorities soon arrived on the scene. Sald\u00edvar refused to surrender and engaged federal agents in a near 10-hour stand off.<\/p>\n

When she was finally apprehended, Sald\u00edvar was charged with first-degree murder. Sald\u00edvar pleaded not guilty and insisted the shooting was accidental, claiming she intended to kill herself, not Selena.<\/p>\n

Sald\u00edvar was convicted in October 1995 and sentenced to life imprisonment. She was given the opportunity to apply for parole after 30 years behind bars.<\/p>\n

Will Yolanda Saldivar Get Out of Prison?<\/h2>\n

As of November 2025, Sald\u00edvar has not been released from custody. Sald\u00edvar has served her sentence at a women\u2019s prison in Gatesville, Texas.<\/p>\n

Us Weekly<\/em> confirmed<\/a> in December 2024 that Sald\u00edvar officially asked for parole as the 30th anniversary of her imprisonment approached. A Texas Department of Criminal Justice official told the New York Post<\/em><\/a> that Sald\u00edvar had a clean record heading into the parole process.<\/p>\n

In March 2025, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles confirmed via a statement obtained by Us<\/em><\/a> that Sald\u00edvar\u2019s request for parole had been denied after a review by \u201ca parole panel of three.\u201d The statement clarified that the parole decision was made after an examination of \u201ccourt documents, offense reports, support\/protest information, criminal history, institutional adjustment and information\/statements provided by the offender.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the parole panel\u2019s determination to deny parole to Yolanda Sald\u00edvar and set her next parole review for March 2030,\u201d the board confirmed.<\/p>\n

Selena\u2019s family released a statement saying they were \u201cgrateful\u201d that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles declined to release Sald\u00edvar.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile nothing can bring Selena back, this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us and from millions of fans around the world far too soon,\u201d the Quintanillas said via Instagram<\/a>. \u201cSelena\u2019s legacy is one of love, music, and inspiration. She lived with joy, gave selflessly, and continues to uplift generations with her voice and her spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their statement went on, \u201cAs her family and loved ones, we remain committed to preserving her memory and ensuring that her story is honored with the dignity and respect it deserves. We thank Selena\u2019s fans for their unwavering support throughout the years. Your love has been a source of strength and healing. We will continue to celebrate Selena\u2019s life \u2013 not the tragedy that took her from us \u2014 and we ask that all who cherish her do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sald\u00edvar remains in prison as of publication.<\/p>\n

What Has Yolanda Saldivar Said About Shooting Selena Quintanilla?<\/h2>\n

Sald\u00edvar has repeatedly denied that she intended to kill Selena.<\/p>\n

\u201c[The media] made me out to be a monster, and I just want to say, I did not kill Selena,\u201d Sald\u00edvar insisted in an interview with 20\/20<\/em> in 1995. \u201cIt was an accident, and my conscience is clear.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2024, Sald\u00edvar gave an interview for Oxygen\u2019s documentary Selena & Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them<\/em><\/a>, where she reiterated that the shooting was accidental. She also alleged that she\u2019d protected Selena from her father, Abraham, who she accused of trying to control the artist\u2019s personal and professional life.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wanted to control her time. He wanted to control her whereabouts,\u201d she alleged. \u201c[Selena] was not going to have none of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n