In a deeply disturbing case out of Guadalajara, Mexico, social media influencer Esmeralda Ferrer Garibay, her husband, and their two young children were found murdered, their bodies tightly wrapped in plastic and left inside a pickup truck. Authorities say the crime likely has connections to organised crime groups operating in the region.

The victims were identified as Esmeralda, 32, her husband Roberto Carlos Gil Licea, 36, and their children13-year-old Gael Santiago and 7-year-old Regina. Their remains were discovered on August 22 in the San Andrés neighborhood of Guadalajara.

Key Evidence Found at Local Mechanic Shop

Following the discovery, investigators reviewed surveillance footage and tracked the vehicle’s movements, eventually tracing it back to a local auto repair shop. Inside the shop, forensic teams found blood traces, spent bullet casings, and other signs of violence.

“While the forensic results are not yet in, ballistic and blood evidence almost certainly confirm they were murdered at that location,” stated Prosecutor Alfonso Gutierrez Santillan.

Authorities believe the family was executed at the shop before their bodies were transported and left in the vehicle.

Arrests Made, Then a Shocking Twist

Two individuals working at the auto repair facility Héctor Manuel Valdivia Martínez and a man known as El Chino were detained for questioning. However, due to insufficient evidence, they were released.

Soon after leaving the prosecutor’s office, the two men and their relatives were ambushed by an armed group. El Chino managed to escape, but the others remain missing. Prosecutor Blanca Trujillo confirmed that the ambush appeared calculated, noting that the attackers had been observing the exit area for over two hours.

Esmeralda Garibay: A Lifestyle Influencer With a Risky Online Presence

Known on TikTok as Esmeralda FG, Garibay had built a following of over 44,000 users. Her content often showcased her life of luxury from designer bags and high-end vehicles to beauty treatments and exotic travel destinations.

Garibay’s posts also occasionally featured narco-corridos, musical ballads that romanticise cartel lifestyles. In one now-controversial video, she poses with a Gucci handbag alongside the caption: “Advantages of having a narco boyfriend.”

These kinds of posts, authorities believe, might have attracted unwanted attention from criminal elements.

Husband Believed to Be the Main Target

According to reports by El Financiero, investigators suspect that Roberto Licea, Garibay’s husband, may have been the intended victim. Licea was involved in automobile sales and tomato farming, industries sometimes associated with cartel interests in certain regions of Mexico.

Despite the high-profile nature of the case, no formal charges have yet been filed, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Final Posts and Social Media Footprint

Garibay’s final TikTok video was posted on August 7, showing her behind the wheel on her ranch. Just days earlier, she had shared a clip of her fluffy white dog running across a well-maintained lawn a stark contrast to the grim fate that would soon follow.

Her online presence began in April 2020, initially focusing on light-hearted lip-sync videos. Over time, her content evolved to emphasise wealth, luxury, and lifestyle ultimately creating a digital persona that, investigators now believe, may have played a role in her family’s tragic end.