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Influencer Maria Jose Estupinan, 22, Gunned Down by Hitman
Horror in Colombia as Influencer Maria Jose Estupinan, 22, Shot Dead by Fake Delivery Driver.
A young Colombian influencer and aspiring television presenter was gunned down outside her home by a man posing as a delivery driver, in a killing that has sent shockwaves through the country and reignited conversations about gender-based violence.
Maria Jose Estupinan Sanchez, a 22-year-old social media personality and media student, was fatally shot at point-blank range on the doorstep of her home in the La Riviera neighborhood of Cucuta, a city near Colombia’s border with Venezuela.
According to police, the killer disguised himself as a courier and approached Estupinan under the pretense of delivering a package. As she stepped outside her home to receive it, she was shot in the face — with the bullet striking her directly in the right cheekbone.
Attack Caught on Security Camera
Footage from neighborhood security cameras captured the harrowing aftermath, showing the suspect fleeing the scene immediately after firing the fatal shot. The man is seen wearing a black cap, dark jacket, jeans, and a backpack — all part of the disguise that enabled him to get close to the unsuspecting influencer.
Emergency services rushed Estupinan to a local hospital shortly after the shooting. However, despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries.
Police Investigate Domestic Violence Link
Colonel Leonardo Capacho of the Cucuta Metropolitan Police confirmed that the attacker used the ruse of a package delivery to approach and assassinate the young woman. Investigators are currently exploring a potential motive linked to a domestic violence case in which Estupinan was a key witness.
Reports indicate that earlier in the month, Estupinan had testified against her former partner in court. Her testimony could have resulted in a financial settlement of 30 million Colombian pesos (approximately $7,100 USD or £5,400 GBP). Authorities have not confirmed the identity of the shooter, but her ex-boyfriend is being investigated as a primary suspect.
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At the time of writing, no arrests have been made.
A Promising Life Cut Short
Maria Jose Estupinan was a seventh-term student of Media Studies at Francisco de Paula Santander University. Alongside her academic pursuits, she worked as a model and had ambitions of becoming a television presenter — a dream she regularly shared with her growing social media following.
Her sudden and violent death has left the university community in mourning. A spokesperson for her university issued a heartfelt statement:
“From the university community, we reject all forms of violence that extinguish the dreams of our young people. We stand in solidarity with the families, friends, and classmates, to whom we extend our deepest condolences.”
National Outrage Over Gender-Based Violence
The murder has sparked national outrage and brought renewed attention to the epidemic of gender-based violence in Colombia. Magda Victoria Acosta, president of the National Gender Commission of the Colombian Judiciary, condemned the act, saying:
“She was a young, enterprising woman with a whole life ahead of her, but those dreams are cut short, like the dreams of many women in this country."
Human Rights Watch has consistently reported on the systemic challenges facing women in Colombia, citing a widespread failure to protect victims of gender-based violence. In its 2023 report, the organization stated:
"Lack of training and poor implementation of treatment protocols impede timely access to medical services and create obstacles for women and girls seeking post-violence care and justice. Perpetrators of gender-based crimes are rarely held accountable."
A Pattern of Violence Against Influencers
Estupinan’s killing comes just days after another tragic murder of a young female social media personality in Latin America. Valeria Marquez, a 23-year-old TikTok star from Mexico, was shot and killed during a livestream while working at her beauty salon in Zapopan, Jalisco.
In that case, prosecutors are treating the incident as a femicide — the murder of a woman based on her gender — citing the brazen nature of the attack. Global News referred to Marquez’s death as a "brazen killing which has sent shockwaves through Mexico."
These incidents highlight a disturbing trend of violence targeting young women, especially those with a public presence online. In both cases, the perpetrators acted with boldness and impunity, leaving devastated families and communities searching for justice.
Demand for Justice
As authorities continue to investigate Estupinan’s death, calls for stronger protection for women and stricter penalties for gender-based crimes are growing louder across Colombia. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of grief and outrage, using hashtags such as #JusticiaParaMariaJose to demand accountability.
The murder of Maria Jose Estupinan is not just a personal tragedy but also a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by women in Colombia — especially those who speak out against abuse. Her life, once filled with ambition and potential, now stands as a symbol of a broader crisis that shows no signs of ending.
A Nation Mourns
Friends, classmates, and followers continue to share tributes to Estupinan online, celebrating her vivacious spirit, beauty, and determination. While her dreams of becoming a TV presenter were cut tragically short, the attention drawn to her case could serve as a catalyst for reform — a lasting legacy in a country where change is desperately needed.
As Colombia grapples with the loss of another bright young life to senseless violence, the hope remains that justice will prevail — and that Maria Jose Estupinan's story will not be forgotten.
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