SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA — Apparently Latin American beauty influencers are not to be messed with... A former beauty queen and social media influencer has been charged in a high-profile murder case tied to suspected cartel activity.
Arrest of the Influencer
Thirty-two-year-old Vanessa Gurrola was arrested on October 9, 2025, and charged with first-degree murder in connection to a deadly shooting that occurred last year. She pleaded not guilty during her arraignment on October 13 and is being held without bail at the Las Colinas Detention Facility. Her next court appearance is scheduled for November 19.
The Deadly Ambush
The victim, Christian Espinoza Silver — known by the alias “El Chato” — was gunned down on February 17, 2024, inside the parking garage of the Palisade UTC luxury apartment complex in the University City neighborhood of San Diego. Another man, 39, was also shot but survived the attack. Witnesses reported seeing the shooter wearing camouflage clothing and carrying a black backpack before opening fire on the victims’ BMW and fleeing the scene.
Cartel Links & Relationship Rumors
Espinoza was allegedly affiliated with the Arellano Félix Organization and a Tijuana-based cartel boss, Pablo Edwin Huerta Nuno, who was extradited to San Diego earlier this year on federal drug charges. Authorities believe the shooting may have been connected to a power struggle between rival factions in Baja California, though the motive remains under investigation. At the same time, there are also rumors floating around online that Gurrola and Espinoza Silver were once in a relationship.
Profile of the Defendant
Gurrola, originally from Sinaloa, Mexico, gained fame through beauty pageants before becoming a social media personality with more than 1.4 million followers on Instagram. Her resemblance to Emma Coronel Aispuro — the wife of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán — once made her a trending figure online. Investigators have noted her online presence as part of their inquiry, but no motive has been confirmed.
Legal Status and Next Steps
At her arraignment, Gurrola maintained her innocence. She remains in custody as prosecutors prepare their case. A preliminary hearing is set for November 19, where additional evidence and witness testimony are expected to be presented.
Check out our own video on beauty queens gone bad below:
