The violence that affects Mexico has also reached content creators, since in recent years several influencers have been murdered in various circumstances, from direct attacks to homicides related to organized crime investigations or personal conflicts. One of the most recent cases is that of César Gastélum, an influencer originally from Sinaloa, who was murdered during a live broadcast.
The homicide occurred in the midst of the climate of violence that the entity is experiencing due to the dispute between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel. The authorities are still investigating to determine the motive for the crime. Months earlier, on March 28, 2025, Gail Castro, known on social media as Gail Toys and brother of influencer Markitos Toys, was shot to death while leaving a restaurant in Ensenada, Baja California.
The content creator was part of the group of Sinaloan influencers known as Los Toys. His death occurred after he and other members of his family appeared in anonymous messages that pointed to alleged links with an organized crime faction, according to the weekly Proceso. Another case that generated great impact was that of Víctor Manuel Castro Cárdenas, known on social networks as “El Alucin.”
The influencer, who shared content about cars, lifestyle and daily activities, was murdered in November 2024 in Culiacán, Sinaloa.
His death occurred in the midst of the escalation of violence registered in the entity and was one of the first homicides of content creators that attracted national attention due to the context in which it occurred. In May 2025, influencer Valeria Márquez, dedicated to beauty and lifestyle content, was murdered while doing a live broadcast from her beauty salon in Zapopan, Jalisco.
The crime provoked a widespread reaction on social networks and gave rise to an investigation for femicide that continues to be one of the cases with the greatest media impact. The list also includes Ana Fabiola, alias “La Barbie Regia”, influencer and model from Nuevo León, whose body was located in October 2024 inside an apartment in Monterrey. The State Prosecutor's Office investigated the case as femicide and managed to arrest an alleged perpetrator. The cases registered in the last two years show different profiles. Some victims were dedicated exclusively to entertainment, fashion or lifestyle, while others were known for spreading content related to vehicles, music or popular culture from the north of the country.
