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Remembering Selena: Family Reflects on Heartbreaking Final Moments and Her Enduring Legacy
Three decades have passed since the tragic death of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, yet her family treasures the memories like they were created yesterday. In a compelling new Netflix documentary titled ‘Selena y Los Dinos: A Family Legacy,’ the illustrious Mexican American singer’s family recounts the aftermath of her untimely death and reveals how they have discovered beauty amidst the heartache over the years.
Selena was shot on March 31, 1995, in Corpus Christi, Texas, by her close friend and fan club president, Yolanda Saldívar. This devastating incident arose after Selena allegedly uncovered Saldívar’s embezzlement of around $30,000 from her clothing boutiques. To this day, Saldívar maintains her innocence, denying the allegations of theft.
Following the shooting, Selena was rushed to Corpus Christi Memorial Hospital, where medical professionals made desperate attempts to save her life. The gravity of the situation was palpable for her family, and their emotional responses reflect the profound impact this tragedy had on their lives.
A Family’s Grief
In the documentary, Suzette Quintanilla, Selena’s older sister, described her frantic arrival at the hospital. Tearfully, she recalled, ‘I walked in, and my mother was with her head down, and she was crying.’ The rawness of that moment still resonates.
Selena’s brother, A.B. Quintanilla, also shared his heart-piercing experience, saying, ‘I asked my dad, Where’s Selena? Is she OK? And he says, I don’t think so, Mijo. I don’t think so.’
Chris Pérez, Selena’s husband at the age of 20, spoke about the moment that changed his life forever. ‘I came to the hospital. They took me to a room and her family’s in there. When I looked, and I saw Marcy [Selena’s mother], you know, and I saw the condition she was in, I knew. Like that’s … that’s when it hit me.’
Selena’s Untimely Passing
Selena was pronounced dead due to hypovolemic shock, a heartbreaking diagnosis for a vibrant life cut tragically short at just 23. Her father, Abraham Quintanilla, articulated the profound sorrow that accompanies the loss of a child. ‘Death is a very painful thing, especially if it’s your child,’ he expressed. ‘You can never understand it unless it happens to you.’
A Legacy of Influence
Selena’s journey into music began at the tender age of six. Abraham Quintanilla described her as possessing a strong voice and a keen ear, traits that resonated with audiences. ‘People perceived her as a down-to-earth person; everything about her was sincere and honest,’ he noted. The family’s involvement in her music career was pivotal.
Abraham formed a band with Selena, enlisting her brother A.B. on bass and sister Suzette on drums, naming it Selena y Los Dinos. This endeavor marked the beginning of a musical legacy that would change the landscape of Mexican American music.
‘It was just a challenge, and it worked,’ Abraham remarked. ‘We had a little trouble to get them interested, but when they learned their first song, that’s when it changed.’
The Queen of Tejano Music
Selena eventually rose to become the
