Mexican Drug Lord Álvarez Ayala Arrested Over the Killing of TikTok Star Valeria Márquez After She Ended Relationship With His Son

Mexican authorities have arrested drug lord Álvarez Ayala, also known as “R1,” over his alleged involvement in the murder of popular TikTok star Valeria Márquez, who was shot dead while livestreaming from her beauty salon.

Valeria was killed on May 25, 2025, during a livestream at her salon, Blossom The Beauty Lounge, in a case that caused outrage across Mexico and beyond.

According to investigators, Ayala allegedly threatened Valeria on several occasions after she ended her relationship with his son, Francisco Álvarez.

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Speaking on the investigation, Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, said:

“He [Álvarez] had threatened her on several occasions and everything indicates, and this will be proven, that the son asked his father, R-1, to carry out the femicide”

Authorities have not announced any charges against Francisco Álvarez, and the gunman who allegedly carried out the fatal shooting remains at large.
Valeria Márquez’s killing drew international attention after she was fatally shot while live from her salon.

It was also reported that just hours before her death, the influencer had shared a selfie on her Instagram Story.

Following his arrest, Álvarez Ayala has been transferred to Altiplano, one of Mexico’s highest-security prisons located about 56 miles from Mexico City. The facility is widely known as the prison from which notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán escaped in 2015.

According to authorities, Álvarez Ayala has been charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, illegal possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition reserved for the exclusive use of the Mexican military.