Vanessa Gurrola, 32, was arrested in California and charged with involvement in the murder of Christian Espinoza Silver, which occurred in 2024 at a luxury condominium complex in San Diego.
Former Mexican beauty queen and digital influencer Vanessa Gurrola has been formally charged with murder by the San Diego District Attorney’s Office in connection with the death of Mexican national Christian Espinoza Silver.
The crime took place on February 17, 2024, when Espinoza was ambushed while driving his BMW into the garage of a luxury condominium called Palisade UTC.
According to prosecutors, Gurrola was taken into custody on October 9, 2025, for her alleged role in the attack. Espinoza, also known as “El Chato,” was struck by multiple gunshots and found lying on the street. A 39-year-old passenger, whose name has not been disclosed, was also shot but survived and remains in stable condition.
Witnesses reported that the shooter, wearing a camouflage jacket, black pants, and a backpack, approached the vehicle and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
Authorities have not yet revealed a motive but suspect the crime may be linked to a dispute between factions connected to the Arellano Félix cartel, which is fighting for control of drug trafficking in Baja California, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Espinoza was allegedly associated with Pablo Edwin Huerta Nuno, identified as the Tijuana plaza boss who was extradited to San Diego in August on federal drug-trafficking charges.
Vanessa Gurrola, originally from Sinaloa and boasting more than 1.4 million Instagram followers, pleaded not guilty during her October 13 court hearing. She remains held without bail at the Las Colinas Detention Facility in Santee.
Source and images: New York Post, San Diego Union-Tribune | Instagram @vanessagurrola_
