The shocking murder of Maria Jose Estupinan Sanchez, a young Colombian influencer, has left her nation stunned and grieving. The brutal nature of the killing—committed in broad daylight by a man pretending to be a deliveryman—has reignited fears about rising femicides and violence against women in Latin America.
The incident, captured on a neighborhood security camera, paints a chilling picture of a calculated and heartless act that snuffed out a young life full of promise and ambition.
A Premeditated Act of Violence in Broad Daylight
Maria Jose Estupinan Sanchez was at her home in the La Riviera neighborhood of Cucuta, Colombia, when her life was tragically cut short. Around 1:00 PM, a man approached her house under the pretense of delivering a package. Carrying what appeared to be a gift, he rang her doorbell, posing as an innocent courier.
Moments later, he drew a gun and shot her at close range. The entire sequence of events was caught on security camera footage installed in the neighborhood. The video not only recorded the image of the fleeing suspect but also captured Maria’s desperate cries for help that echoed in the street as she collapsed from her injuries.
The footage has become central to the investigation, showing the suspect dressed in a black cap, jacket, jeans, and a backpack. Authorities have appealed to the public for any information that could help identify and apprehend the killer. Despite rapid medical response and Maria Jose Estupinan Sanchez being rushed to a nearby hospital, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival.
Domestic Abuse Case and Possible Motive
Adding a deeper layer of tragedy to this incident is the revelation that Maria Jose Estupinan Sanchez had recently won a legal battle against her ex-boyfriend. According to reports from Colombian media, the day before the murder, Maria successfully secured a payout of 30 million Colombian pesos (approximately USD 7,000) in a domestic abuse case.
This legal victory, meant to be a moment of closure and empowerment for the young woman, is now being scrutinized as a potential motive for her murder. Investigators are focusing on Maria’s former partner as a key suspect in the case.
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Colonel Leonardo Capacho of Cucuta’s Metropolitan Police confirmed that authorities are actively probing the ex-boyfriend’s involvement and whether the courtroom decision had any connection to the killing. The possibility that Maria Jose Estupinan Sanchez’s murder was an act of retaliation—staged to look like a random crime—has sent waves of outrage and fear through communities in Colombia and beyond.
Asesinan a otra Influencer, el agresor fingió ser un repartidor.
— Juan Carlos Robles (@JuanCarlosRR_Tv) May 17, 2025
María José Estupiñan conocida como “la mona” fue asesinada en Cúcuta Colombia el pasado 15 de mayo por la mañana. A través de redes sociales de difundieron imágenes del momento en que el presunto feminicida huye. pic.twitter.com/4Y7cGiUcUQ
Despite these leads, no arrests have been made so far. The police are continuing their investigation, analyzing security footage, interviewing witnesses, and trying to trace the suspect’s escape route. As the days pass, pressure mounts on local law enforcement to bring justice to Maria and her grieving family.
Violence Against Influencers and the Rising Threat of Femicide
Maria Jose Estupinan Sanchez’s murder is not an isolated case. Just days before her death, Mexican influencer Valeria Marquez was also shot and killed while live-streaming online. Like Maria, she was attacked by a man disguised as a deliveryman.
The similarities between the two incidents—particularly the method and gender of the victims—have raised alarm bells across Latin America. Valeria’s case has already been labeled a “femicide,” a term used to describe the gender-based killing of women, and many are demanding that Maria’s murder be investigated under the same classification.
Femicide continues to be a widespread and deeply rooted issue in many Latin American countries. Women, especially those in the public eye like influencers, journalists, and activists, often face threats, harassment, and violence.
These attacks are not only crimes of opportunity but also expressions of control, revenge, and misogyny. Maria Jose Estupinan Sanchez’s death has reignited debates around the safety of women, the effectiveness of restraining orders and legal protection, and the need for systemic reforms to combat gender-based violence.
In Maria’s case, her status as a social media personality who openly shared her life—her modeling work, university education, and personal experiences—may have made her more visible and vulnerable. At just 22 years old, she was a seventh-semester student studying Social Communication at the University of Pamplona.
She had dreams of building a career, influencing others positively, and overcoming the painful chapters of her past. Instead, her life was brutally taken away before she had the chance to truly live it.
The emotional weight of her death has reverberated through the online community, with fellow influencers, fans, and human rights activists mourning her loss and calling for justice. Her story is now emblematic of the ongoing battle women face every day—a battle not just for equality but for the right to exist in safety and peace.
As authorities continue to search for the suspect and seek answers, Maria Jose Estupinan Sanchez’s name joins a long and heartbreaking list of women whose lives were stolen. Her story is a grim reminder of the dangers many women face and the urgent need for action. What was meant to be a safe space—her own home—became the scene of her murder, and the world now watches as Colombia struggles to deliver justice for Maria.