The individual responsible for the death of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, Yolanda Saldívar, has asserted that the late singer bore some responsibility for the circumstances surrounding her demise, according to recent reports. Saldívar is set to become eligible for parole on March 30, marking thirty years since her conviction for Selena’s murder.
In a discussion with The New York Post, , a relative of Saldívar provided insights into her perspective, stating, “[Yolanda] acknowledges her wrongdoing and accepts accountability for her actions. However, she felt provoked by the manner in which she was approached.”
The family member continued, relaying Saldívar’s account that “[Selena] confronted her in an exceedingly aggressive manner. The forcefulness of Selena’s approach caught her off guard; the events unfolded rapidly. Had Selena approached her differently, it is believed that this incident could have been avoided.”
Representatives for the Quintanilla family and Chris Pérez, Selena’s husband, did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
Saldívar fatally shot Quintanilla-Pérez, known simply as Selena, on March 31, 1995, after the pop sensation discovered that Saldívar had allegedly embezzled approximately $30,000 from her clothing stores. Saldívar has persistently denied any wrongdoing regarding the financial allegations.
In February 2024, Saldívar participated in a new prison interview featured in an Oxygen docuseries titled “Selena & Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them.” During this documentary, she claimed that there was never any intention to kill Quintanilla-Pérez; rather, she stated that she was attempting to take her own life when the gun accidentally discharged, resulting in the tragic death of the 23-year-old singer.
“I was startled,” Saldívar explained. “I did not realize that my gun had fired or that it had struck her. It frightened both of us. There was never any desire to harm her.”
In her reflections, Saldívar expressed remorse, stating, “My choices were my own, and I must also bear the consequences. I regret everything. If given the opportunity to rewind time, many outcomes would be different. I want people to understand that I miss Selena just as they do—immensely. I believe I will reunite with her in heaven; she did not deserve this fate.”
“I am deeply saddened by her absence,” Saldívar added. “I empathize with the pain of her family and my own family as well. At no point did I intend to inflict harm upon anyone.”
The release of the documentary faced significant backlash from fans and Selena’s family. Her father, Abraham Quintanilla, criticized the documentary as filled with “nothing but lies.” He remarked to TMZ that “no one will believe what she has to say anyway,” asserting that “there is absolutely no truth in anything she claims.”
In the documentary, Saldívar mentioned feeling “convicted by public opinion” prior to her trial.
Saldívar has applied for parole and is currently undergoing a review process with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Her eligibility date is set for March 30, 2025.
A family member indicated to The New York Post that while Saldívar has a place to live post-release, securing employment may prove challenging due to her notoriety.
Furthermore, inmates at the Patrick L. O’Daniel Unit in Gatesville, Texas—where Saldívar is incarcerated—reported that she remains in protective custody due to being a prominent target among fellow inmates. One former inmate noted that “everyone knows who Yolanda Saldívar is,” indicating there is significant animosity towards her, leading guards to keep her separated from the general population for her safety.
