Who Is Yolanda Saldivar? Google Doodle Celebrating Selena Quintanilla

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, a popular Tejano and pop singer, was murdered in 1995 by Yolanda Saldívar, ending a promising career for the musician known only as Selena. On the 28th anniversary of her the release of her first album, which debuted October 17, 1989, Google has dedicated their front-page to the singer.

Selena was born in Texas and began singing at an early age, playing in a band with her siblings. Her father guided her toward traditional Mexican music like Tejano. Selena performed several times at the Tejano Music Awards, where she was discovered by a major record label executive. She was signed to now-defunct EMI Latin in 1989 and released her self-titled album debut later that year.

Saldívar was a nurse in Texas with three adopted children. She had seen Selena perform and reached out to her father and manager, Abraham Quintanilla, Jr., about starting a fan club for the singer in San Antonio, Texas. Quintanilla agreed, hoping that it would bring the singer more exposure. Saldívar became president of the fan club and was eventually hired to work at the family’s Selena-branded clothing store, Selena, Etc.

Saldívar’s management of the stores garnered numerous complaints from employees, concerning Selena’s father. Selena ignored the claims, and Saldívar was said to have a borderline obsession with the singer.

Quintanilla, Jr. discovered that Saldívar had embezzled more than $30,000 from the fan club and stores. Selena and her father demanded a number of financial records from Saldívar or else they would involve the police. Saldívar delayed handing over the records by claiming she had been raped in Mexico. Selena met Saldívar in a hotel room in 1995 at a Days Inn in Corpus Christi, Texas to get the records.

Selena demanded the financial statements from Saldívar, but she pulled a gun on the singer. As Selena attempted to flee, Saldívar shot her once, critically wounding her. Selena, who was 23 at the time, died shortly after. Saldívar was 35.

Later that year, Saldívar was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison with no opportunity for parole for 30 years. Saldívar claimed at trial that she was distraught and the shooting was an accident.