The gruesome discovery of a popular social media influencer, her husband, and their two children, wrapped in plastic and abandoned in a pickup truck, has sent shockwaves through Mexico. Esmeralda Ferrer Garibay, 32, a TikTok personality and singer, along with her husband Roberto Carlos Gil Licea, 36, and their children Gael Santiago, 13, and Regina, 7, were found dead in Guadalajara on August 22, according to prosecutor Alfonso Gutierrez Santillan.
Investigators used surveillance footage to trace the truck’s route back to a nearby auto repair shop. The shop bore signs of a violent incident, including bloodstains, spent bullet casings, and other ballistic evidence. This led authorities to believe that the family was likely killed at the shop before their bodies were transported elsewhere, as reported by Latin Times.
While the forensic results are still pending, the prosecutor stated that the ballistic and blood evidence strongly suggest that the family was murdered at the auto repair shop. Two men from the shop were initially detained but were later released due to insufficient evidence. In a shocking turn of events, these men were kidnapped by armed individuals shortly after their release from the prosecutor’s office.
The two men had met with two others outside the prosecutor’s office when they were ambushed. Three of the four men were kidnapped, while one managed to escape. The attackers had reportedly been waiting for over two hours before launching their attack, indicating a planned operation, according to prosecutor Blanca Trujillo.
The motive behind the attack on the men and whether it was a retaliation for the murder of Ferrer Garibay and her family remains unknown. Authorities are currently waiting to interview the man who managed to escape the kidnapping.
The identities of the deceased family were confirmed on August 28. It is believed that Ferrer Garibay’s husband, who was involved in the sale of vehicles and tomato farming in Michoacan state, was the intended target of the murders. Ferrer Garibay was known for showcasing her luxurious lifestyle on social media, including her designer goods, luxury cars, cosmetic surgeries, and expensive vacations to her over 44,000 TikTok followers.
She also posted videos of herself lip-syncing to narco-corridos, a type of Mexican ballad that glorifies drug cartels, hinting at her husband’s possible involvement in such a group. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that Ferrer Garibay or her husband were involved in drug cartels. The family had recently relocated to Guadalajara from Michoacan, one of Mexico’s most dangerous regions, in search of work opportunities.