Esther Gabriela Murillo Cruz, 25 years old and a native of Pedernales (Manabí province) in Ecuador, was killed in an armed attack early Saturday morning, July 26, 2025, in the coastal city of Manta.
Around 3:00 a.m., Esther was traveling in a vehicle on Circunvalación Avenue, Sí Vivienda sector, with her partner, a man in his 30’s, and their baby, under one year old.
The crime of former beauty queen Esther Murillo Cruz
Armed subjects on motorcycles intercepted the car and fired multiple shots at them.
Although she was taken alive to the IESS Hospital in Manta, her injuries compromised vital organs.
He died shortly thereafter. His partner and daughter were seriously injured and remain hospitalized with a guarded prognosis. .
Esther had excelled in local beauty pageants: she was Queen of Commerce of Pedernales in 2016, Queen of Pedernales in 2017, candidate for Queen of Manabí in the same year, and finally Queen of Folklore Manabí in 2018.
Her charisma made her a recognized young woman in her community.
Although she kept a low profile on social media, she shared lifestyle, fitness and fashion content, building an active community on platforms such as TikTok.
Police investigation and regional context of violence
The Ecuadorian National Police opened an official investigation and collected evidence from the scene.
Criminalistics and Dinased units are working in the area to identify the assailants, while security cameras in the area are being reviewed.
The crime of Esther Murillo Cruz occurs in the midst of an escalation of violence: in the district that includes Manta, Montecristi and Jaramijó, more than 260 violent murders have been documented so far in 2025.
Relatives, neighbors and social groups demand justice and clarification in this new case that mourns Manabí.
Tragedies of the Latino community
Transnational violence: tragedies in Latin America emotionally impact Latino families in the U.S. who maintain roots or cultural connections to those places.
Young women at risk: the case highlights the vulnerability faced by women even when they are socially recognized and the need for effective protection policies.
Awareness of insecurity in social networks: despite being presented as an aspirational life in networks, the reality in many regions is very different, with latent risks.
Community solidarity: Hispanics in the U.S. often mobilize in the face of similar tragedies, demanding justice and support for victims and their families, even from abroad.
La violencia en Ecuador está desatada con muchos homicidios en este 2025 y la gente está aterrada
The health of your baby and your husband
Buzzy
Esther Gabriela Murillo Cruz, a 25-year-old former Ecuadorian beauty queen, was killed in an armed attack in Manta while traveling with her partner and baby.
Although she passed away shortly thereafter in the hospital, her family remains in critical condition.
The case occurs in the midst of a wave of violence in Manabí that worries all of Ecuador.
Her departure has caused deep shock and demands clear answers: justice, protection and memory for a young woman who represented beauty, hope and talent.
Find out more at ‘QueOnnda.com’.
