Thirty years after the tragic death of Selena Quintanilla, the details of her autopsy report continue to captivate her fans and the public as her autopsy details have finally been revealed. On March 31st, 1995, Selena was fatally shot by Yolanda Saldívar, the former president of her fan club, at a motel in Corpus Christi, Texas. The incident occurred following a confrontation over financial discrepancies.

The autopsy, conducted just three hours after her death, revealed that Selena died from a gunshot wound to her lower right shoulder. According to autopsy report, as reported by Us Weekly, the bullet's path caused severe damage, puncturing her chest wall and injuring her subclavian artery, leading to massive internal and external bleeding. Despite efforts to save her, Selena was pronounced dead at 1:05 p.m.

Coroner Lloyd White wrote of her cause of death, according the original 1995 report obtained by Us Weekly, "It is my opinion that Selena Quintanilla Pérez, a 23-year-old woman, came to her death as a result of an exsanguinating internal and external hemorrhage, in other words massive bleeding, due to a perforating gunshot wound of the thorax."

Saldívar was convicted of first-degree murder in October 1995 and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Her request for parole was denied in March 2025, and she will be eligible again in 2030, as reported by NBC New York.

Selena's death shocked the music industry and her fans worldwide. Known as the Queen of Tejano music, Selena's influence extended beyond her music, as she opened doors for future generations of Latin artists. Her legacy endures through tributes, a museum, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her posthumous album, "Dreaming of You," topped the Billboard 200, further cementing her impact.

Selena's family, including her husband Chris Pérez and sister Suzette Quintanilla, continue to honor her memory. They recently collaborated on a Netflix documentary, Selena y Los Dinos: A Family’s Legacy, celebrating her life and contributions to music.

Jodi Stewart