Who Was Esmeralda Ferrer Garibay? Mexican Influencer, Husband & 2 Children Brutally Murdered

The bodies of Mexican influencer Esmeralda Ferrer Garibay, her husband, and their two young children were discovered inside a gray Ford Ranger in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Authorities say the family was executed in a cartel-style hit and later dumped in their truck, wrapped in plastic.

The Victims

• Esmeralda Ferrer Garibay, 32 – TikTok influencer and singer

• Roberto Carlos Gil Licea, 36 – husband

• Gael Santiago, 13 – son

• Regina, 7 – daughter

According to prosecutor Alfonso Gutiérrez Santillán, Licea may have been the main target of the murders.

Who Was Esmeralda Ferrer Garibay?

Esmeralda began her TikTok journey in April 2020 with lip-sync and comedy clips. As her popularity grew, she posted lifestyle and travel content, showing luxury fashion brands like Dior, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, expensive cars, and cosmetic procedures. She had more than 44,000 followers on TikTok.

She sometimes lip-synced to narco-corridos, a controversial music style linked to drug cartels. In one video, she wrote, “Advantages of having a narco boyfriend,” sparking speculation about her husband’s ties.

However, no proof has been found that Esmeralda or her husband belonged to a cartel. Reports suggest that Licea worked in vehicle sales and tomato farming in Michoacán, a state heavily affected by cartel violence. The family recently moved to Guadalajara for safety and work opportunities.

The Crime Scene

Investigators traced the pickup truck to a local auto repair shop. Inside, they found bloodstains, bullet casings, and other evidence. Authorities believe the family was executed there before their bodies were moved.

Prosecutor Santillán confirmed:
“While the forensic results are not yet in, ballistic and blood evidence almost certainly confirm they were murdered at that location.”

A Shocking Twist

Two men from the repair shop were detained for questioning but later released due to lack of evidence. Moments after leaving the prosecutor’s office, they were kidnapped by armed men. Three people were abducted, but one managed to escape.

Prosecutor Blanca Trujillo revealed that the attackers waited more than two hours before striking, indicating a planned ambush. The motive behind this attack is still unclear, but investigators are considering whether it was connected to the family’s murder.

The Bigger Picture

The case highlights Mexico’s ongoing struggle with organized crime and cartel violence, which often targets not only rivals but also families and civilians.