How Selena Died in Real Life
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was shot and killed on March 31, 1995, at a Days Inn in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was 23 years old. The shooting occurred after she met with Yolanda Saldívar, the former president of her fan club and Selena Etc. boutique manager.
During the encounter, Saldívar shot Selena in the back. Selena ran to the lobby, collapsed, and was taken to a local hospital. She was pronounced dead from blood loss due to a perforated artery.
The autopsy confirmed that the single bullet caused massive internal bleeding. Selena died within minutes of arriving at the hospital. The case was ruled a first-degree murder.
Saldívar was arrested shortly after and later convicted. She received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 30 years. The incident remains a significant case in Texas criminal history. For more details, see the Britannica entry on Selena.
