Yolanda Saldívar has been denied an early release.
Nearly 30 years after she was convicted of killing Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, commonly referred to as the “Queen of Tejano Music,” the singer’s former fan club president was denied parole in Texas, according to online records from the state’s Department of Criminal Justice viewed by E! News March 27.
Yolanda, 64, first filed for parole in January as she was eligible for an early release on March 30. She is serving a life sentence for murder with a deadly weapon after she shot and killed the “Amor Prohibido” singer, who was just 23 years old at the time, at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi, Texas, on March 31, 1995.
Days before the murder, Selena and her husband ChrisPérez fired Yolanda—who also managed the singer’s boutiques—alleging she had been embezzling money from them.
Yolanda previously appealed her guilty verdict in 1998 and has maintained that she “did not intend” to murder Selena when she shot her in the back.
Following the decision, the Grammy winner’s family, along with her widower, issued a joint statement saying they were “grateful” Saldívar would remain behind bars.
“While nothing can bring Selena back,” they said in a message posted on Selena’s sister Suzette Quintanilla’s Instagram page, “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.”
They continued, “As 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.”
The family also thanked Selena’s devoted fanbase for keeping her memory alive.
“Your love has been a source of strength and healing,” the statement concluded. “We will continue to celebrate Selena’s life—not the tragedy that took her from us and we ask that all who cherish her do the same.”
Keep scrolling for a look back at Selena’s remarkable life.
