When Is Yolanda Saldivar Getting Out of Prison? Selena’s Family Reacts to Her Denied Parole

On March 31, 1995, the town of Corpus Christi, Texas, was rattled by the murder of Grammy Award-winning singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, who was only 23 years old when she died. Selena’s killer, Yolanda Saldivar, is behind bars for the crime, though she became eligible for parole after 30 years in 2025. Will Yolanda be getting out of prison on parole?

Who Is Yolanda Saldivar?

Yolanda was born in San Antonio, Texas, on September 19, 1960. The former nurse was originally a fan of country music, but she began following Selena after she attended one of the Tejano singer’s concerts. Yolanda repeatedly tried to contact Selena’s dad, Abraham Quintanilla, about starting a fan club for the singer in San Antonio. Eventually, he agreed to let her start one, so Yolanda became the fan club’s president.

After Selena founded her Corpus Christi-based clothing boutique, Selena Etc., in 1994, Yolanda became the manager and handled the business’ checking accounts. However, she was later accused of embezzling money from both the boutique and the fan club, which had grown to more than 5,000 members. Yolanda was fired in March 1995 as a result.

Despite firing Yolanda, Selena remained in contact with the former store manager because Yolanda had financial documents that the “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” singer needed back. On the day of her murder, Selena agreed to meet Yolanda at a motel in Corpus Christi to retrieve the documents. However, during their meeting, Yolanda pulled out a gun and shot the singer in the back as she ran away. Selena made it to the lobby but collapsed on the floor as the clerk called 911. She later died from blood loss at a hospital.

Meanwhile, Yolanda attempted to flee the scene, but she was cornered by police. She threatened to kill herself before ultimately giving herself up.

When Will Yolanda Saldivar Be Released From Prison?

After a trial in Houston, Texas, Yolanda was found guilty and convicted of first-degree murder. She began serving a life sentence at the Patrick O’Daniel Unit in Gatesville, Texas, in November 1995.

Yolanda will become eligible for parole after 30 years in prison, on March 30, 2025. However, she will need to have a parole hearing and be approved for release before she can walk free.

She took the first step in possibly being released from prison by filing parole paperwork in December 2024 to try to get released in 2025, according to The New York Post. In light of the filing, Yolanda’s fellow inmates told the outlet there’s “a bounty on her head” as she remained behind bars.

Meanwhile, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice rep told the outlet that Yolanda has a clean record going into her hearing regarding her possible release.

Yolanda Saldivar Speaks Out in New Oxygen Documentary

Less than one year before she filed for parole, Yolanda shared her side of the story in the Oxygen True Crime docuseries called Selena and Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them on February 17 and February 18, 2024. The documentary also featured Yolanda’s family, shared never-before-seen documents and recordings from the case and discussed the relationship between Yolanda and Selena. Her family ultimately hoped to prove that there is a different side to Yolanda before she’s up for parole in 2025.

“After so many years, I think it’s time to set the story straight,” Yolanda said in the trailer, later suggesting that Selena had “secrets” that she knew about. “I was scared. … I think people deserve to know the truth.”

Yolanda Saldivar Was Denied Parole In 2025

After filing for parole in December 2024, Yolanda’s request was denied by the courts just three months later. On March 27, 2025, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles ruled that Yolanda should not be granted parole and wouldn’t consider her again for parole until March 2030.

“After a thorough consideration of all available information, which included any confidential interviews conducted, it was the parole panel’s determination to deny parole to Yolanda Saldivar and set her next parole review for March 2030,” the Board of Pardons and Paroles said in a statement obtained by NBC News.

Selena’s family reacted to the news in a lengthy statement on Instagram, telling the singer’s fans they were “grateful” for the news.

“While nothing can bring Selena back, this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us and from the millions of fans around the world far too soon,” they wrote hours after the ruling. “Selena’s legacy is one of love, music and inspiration. She lived with joy, gave selflessly and continues to uplift generations with her voice and spirit.”

The statement continued, “As her family and loved ones, we remain committed to preserving her memory and ensuring that her story is honored with the dignity and respect it deserves.”