The Mexican model and influencer Lidia Vanessa Gurrola Peraza, 32, was arrested on October 9 in San Diego, California, accused of first-degree murder for the homicide of Christian Espinoza Silver, alias "El Chato", alleged operator of the Arellano Felix Cartel.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, Gurrola is being held at the Las Colinas Detention Center, a women's prison in Santee, California, awaiting her initial court hearing, scheduled for October 20.

Espinoza Silver was shot and killed on February 17, 2024, in University City, a residential area north of San Diego. At the scene, authorities found two people: one dead next to a vehicle and another with serious injuries near a housing complex. "El Chato" was known for his close ties to Edwin Huerta, alias "El Flaquito," an operator of the Tijuana Cartel.

US authorities believe that Espinoza and Gurrola had been in a relationship since at least 2017.

Relationship with criminal groups

In September 2024, Gurrola's name appeared on flyers distributed in Sinaloa by small planes. They linked him to alleged money laundering and collaboration with the Los Chapitos faction. Other influencers, businessmen, and public figures were also mentioned.

Vanessa Gurrola, originally from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, was crowned Queen of the Floral Games Festival of the Mazatlan Carnival in 2011. She rose to fame on social media after a photo went viral in which she was mistaken for Emma Coronel Aispuro, the wife of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Since then, she has promoted herself as a lifestyle, health, and beauty influencer, with more than 1.4 million followers on Instagram. On her currently inactive account, she shared images of trips to destinations such as Indonesia, Paris, and Dubai, as well as content related to her personal ventures. Gurrola's arrest was recorded under number 25744615,with an indictment filed on October 10. Authorities say the model is 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 135 pounds, and has brown hair and eyes.