Selena’s family reflects on her passing 30 years later in a documentary.

Remembering Selena Quintanilla

It’s been three decades since Selena Quintanilla Perez was tragically shot, yet her family reflects on that day as if it were much more recent. A new documentary on Netflix, titled “Selena and Los Dinos: A Family Legacy,” explores the painful aftermath of her death, which occurred on March 31, 1995, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Surprisingly, the family discusses finding “beauty” in her passing over the years.

Yolanda Saldívar, who was close to Selena and managed her fan club, allegedly killed her after Selena discovered that Saldívar had misappropriated $30,000 from a boutique. Saldívar continues to deny any wrongdoing.

Update on Selena’s Killer

Nearly 30 years after Selena’s death, Saldívar is now seeking parole.

Selena was taken to the hospital, where medical staff made attempts to save her. Her older sister, Suzette, recalls a heartbreaking moment upon returning home: “My aunts and uncles were crying. I went inside, and my mother was in tears.” The uncertainty weighed heavily on her family. Susan asked her father, “Where’s Selena? Is she okay?” His response was chilling: “I don’t think so, Mijo.”

Her husband, Chris Perez, provides insight into how he received the news. “I got to the hospital and found her family there. I saw the state she was in, and I just knew. At that moment, I was in disbelief.”

Selena passed away from hypovolemic shock at the young age of 23. Her father, Abraham, reflects on the experience of losing a child: “It’s incredibly difficult. You never truly grasp it until it happens to you. The pain can be overwhelming.”

Insights on Selena’s Legacy

Selena began her career at six, showing early signs of a powerful voice and musical talent. Abraham fondly remembers her genuine nature: “People loved her—not just for her voice, but for her authenticity.” He banded together with his children to form Selena y Los Dinos, and he recalls the struggles they initially faced, but it paid off when they eventually captured their audience.

Despite her untimely death, Selena emerged as an iconic figure in Mexican-American music, famed as the “Queen of Tejano Music.” In a recent interview, Saldívar expressed her regret, asserting that she never intended to harm Selena. She admitted to being startled when the gun went off, leading to a tragic turn of events.

“I was terrified,” Saldívar stated. “I didn’t know that anything had happened.” She expressed sorrow for the losses endured by both families and her longing for Selena, saying she believes they’ll reunite in the afterlife.

The Netflix documentary focuses on Selena’s family while largely omitting Saldívar. Chris Perez reflects, “I miss her deeply, but there’s a sense of pride in the impact she left behind. I think that sentiment resonates with all of us.”

Suzette emphasizes a more profound understanding of their struggle over time: “My mother always spoke about finding beauty within the ugliness of what happened. It took a long time for me to see it, but now I appreciate what Selena means to many people.”