22yo influencer gunned down outside home

A young model and influencer has been shot dead by a man pretending to be a courier, claiming he was delivering a package to her home.

A 22-year-old model and social media influencer has been shot dead by a man pretending to be a courier who claimed he was delivering a package to her home.

María José Estupiñán Sánchez was shot at point-blank range as she stepped outside her home in Colombia on May 15.

Local media say a bullet struck her directly in the right cheekbone.

She had shortly returned home from the gym when she was killed. Detectives believe her death may be linked to a hearing she attended at the prosecutor’s office earlier this month.

Maria José Estupiñán Sánchez was shot at point blank range. Picture: Jam Press

At the hearing, she testified against her ex-partner in a domestic violence case, as reported by NeedToKnow.

Sources close to the case claim she was on the verge of being awarded a payout from her ex-partner, which was estimated to be 30 million Colombian Pesos. This is the equivalent of $11,150.

The police believe he was likely behind the killing in Cúcuta, northeastern Colombia, on the Venezuelan border.

The shooter pretended to deliver a package. Picture: Jam Press

Officers say the killing was almost certainly premeditated. Local media stated that María José first reported her then-boyfriend for abuse in 2018, and continued to report him several times over the course of their relationship.

María José was studying media studies and was in her seventh term at the Francisco de Paula Santander University.

She was a model and influencer. Picture: Jam Press

She dreamt of becoming a TV presenter and was in the process of arranging an internship.

A spokesperson for her alma mater said, “From the university community, we reject all forms of violence that extinguish the dreams of our young people.

“We stand in solidarity with the families, friends, and classmates to whom we extend our deepest condolences.”

In addition to her studies, María José worked as a model with a local agency. She also managed an online business selling sportswear, lingerie, and footwear.

The investigation is ongoing.