Influencer César Gastélum murdered during livestream in Mexico

In January 2025, César Gastélum, a young influencer, was shot and killed while livestreaming outside a fast food restaurant in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. The incident occurred when two men on a motorbike approached him and one of them shot him in the head at close range before fleeing the scene. This tragic event has raised concerns about the relationship between social media influencers and criminal cartels in a region plagued by violence. The Sinaloa state prosecutor's office indicated that they are investigating Gastélum's social media posts, some of which referenced a criminal group, although he had not received any threats prior to his murder.

Gastélum's death is part of a disturbing trend, as at least ten content creators have been killed in Sinaloa since a violent conflict erupted between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel two years ago. While some influencers targeted in the past had been under investigation or had received threats, Gastélum was not known to have any direct ties to criminal organizations. However, experts suggest that the worlds of social media and organized crime can sometimes overlap, leading to dangerous consequences for influencers who promote lifestyles associated with narcoculture.