The new Netflix documentary Selena y Los Dinos has renewed public interest in the tragic death of Selena Quintanilla. According to the 1995 autopsy, conducted only hours after she was fatally shot on March 31, the 23-year-old singer died from massive internal and external bleeding.
According to the official report, obtained by US Weekly, the bullet entered her lower right shoulder and severely injured her subclavian artery, which contributed to her death.
“It is my opinion that Selena Quintanilla Pérez, a 23-year-old woman, came to her death as a result of an exsanguinating internal and external hemorrhage, in other words, massive bleeding, due to a perforating gunshot wound of the thorax (chest),” coroner Lloyd White stated.
Though the documentary focuses on the singer’s life and musical legacy, the autopsy remains a stark reminder of how suddenly she was taken. Her memory continues to inspire generations of fans and artists worldwide.
How Did Selena Quintanilla Die?
Selena Quintanilla, also known as ‘the Queen of Tejano music,’ first rose to fame as part of the family band Selena y Los Dinos, performing alongside her siblings A.B. and Suzette Quintanilla. With her charisma, vocal talent, and groundbreaking crossover success, she became one of the most beloved Latin artists of her time.
However, at just 23 years old, her life was tragically cut short on March 31, 1995, by Yolanda Saldívar, a devoted fan who became president of the late singer’s fan club and later managed her boutiques.
In the months leading up to her death, Selena Quintanilla’s relationship with Yolanda Saldívar had begun to fall apart after it was discovered that she had been embezzling money from both the fan club and the stores.
Despite this, Quintanilla agreed to meet with Saldívar at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi, hoping to retrieve missing financial documents. During one of these meetings, Saldívar claimed she had been assaulted and persuaded Quintanilla to join her for a medical checkup.
Later that day, the two returned to the motel, where the singer demanded the missing documents. Saldívar, however, drew a gun from her purse and shot her in the right shoulder. While a seriously wounded Selena Quintanilla fled toward the lobby seeking help, Saldívar chased after her while shouting abuse.
The singer was rushed to Corpus Christi Memorial Hospital. Despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at 1:05 p.m. on March 31, 1995.
How Selena Quintanilla’s Trust in Yolanda Saldívar Led to Tragedy
Selena Quintanilla’s tragic death was rooted in a relationship that began with trust and admiration. Yolanda Saldívar first entered her life as a devoted fan, eventually convincing her father to let her run the singer’s official fan club.
Her dedication made her seem reliable, and over time, she grew close to the singer and her family. Selena Quintanilla valued loyalty, and Saldívar’s apparent commitment earned her a position managing her boutique operations.
However, this trust slowly began to fracture. By early 1995, the Quintanillas discovered financial irregularities linked to Saldívar. Members of the fan club and boutique employees raised concerns, prompting an investigation that revealed missing money and mishandled records (People).
Quintanilla still tried to resolve the situation calmly, hoping to retrieve important documents and end the relationship professionally. Saldívar, however, used that trust to keep drawing her into private meetings.
On March 31, 1995, at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi, a final confrontation occurred, with Saldívar eventually shooting her.
She was charged with first-degree murder, but pleaded not guilty, claiming that the shooting was accidental (The New York Times). She was found guilty in October 1995 and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Saldívar applied for parole in December 2024, but the request was denied in March 2025 (Reuters). She remains incarcerated at a women’s facility in Gatesville, Texas.
Stream Selena y Los Dinos on Netflix to honor the late singer and keep her legacy alive.
