Selena Quintanilla’s killer Yolanda Saldivar vows to ‘set the story straight’ as she speaks out from behind bars in chilling documentary clip – 30 YEARS after she shot dead Mexican popstar

Selena Quintanilla’s killer has spoken out 30 years after the singer’s death behind bars as she prepares for parole in 2025.

Yolanda Saldivar, president of the star’s fan club, fatally shot the 23-year-old at a hotel in Corpus Christi, Texas, in March 1995 after she was confronted about embezzling funds.

The then 35-year-old was found guilty of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Now 63, as she approaches her potential release date, Saldivar has insisted that “it’s time to set the record straight.”

Here, FEMAIL has unraveled the entire sordid story as Oxygen is set to release its two-part docuseries titled Selena & Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them.

Selena was one of the most celebrated Mexican artists of the 20th century and was on the cusp of global fame at the age of 23 when she was murdered

The musical superstar’s story has been told time and time again – including in a film starring Jennifer Lopez (seen) – but now the truth about her killer will be revealed on screen.

Selena was thrust into the spotlight with hits like Como La Flor and Dreaming Of You before becoming the first Tejano singer to win a Grammy in 1994 – for best Mexican/American album.

She was one of the most celebrated Mexican artists of the 20th century and was even called the Queen of Tejano Music – a musical style that combines Mexican and American influences that she brought into the mainstream.

The singer, who launched her own chain of boutiques to market the flamboyant costumes that had become her trademark, was on the cusp of worldwide fame at just 23.

She hired Saldivar — an adoring fan who works as a home health nurse in San Antonio — who, according to prosecutors at the time, quickly cemented himself into the singer’s inner circle.

The employee became a trusted family friend, had a key to the house Selena shared with husband Chris Perez, and pushed for the formation of the singer’s fan club – for which she was president.

Saldivar was also promoted to manage two of the star’s retail outlets — one in Corpus Christi and the other in San Antonio — which meant she had control over Selena’s business checking accounts.

But operations did not go smoothly after Selena’s associates, including personal fashion designer Martin Gomez, warned her about Saldivar.

Gomez told me earlier The Washington Post: ‘She was very vindictive. She was very possessive of Selena.

Saldivar invited Selena to a Days Inn hotel before shooting her in the back with a .38 caliber revolver

Selena became the first Tejano singer to win a Grammy for Best Mexican/American Album in 1994

The singer even launched her own boutique chain to market the flamboyant costumes that had become her trademark

‘She would get very angry if you bothered her. She played so many mind games and said people had said things they hadn’t said.’

Nevertheless, Selena is said to have loyally defended Saldivar despite the criticism, until discrepancies in company finances soured relations.

The rising star, along with her father, who worked as her manager, had realized that $30,000 had been embezzled after fans complained that they had paid membership fees and not received merchandise in return.

In the days before her death, Selena reportedly fired Saldivar over the phone.

But her former employee then invited the star to meet at a Days Inn hotel, claiming she had bank statements that could be useful.

It was there that Selena was shot in the back with a .38 caliber revolver. The bullet shattered an artery in her collarbone before exiting her chest.

The singer reportedly managed to reach the lobby to tell hotel staff what happened before she collapsed.

Tragically, she was rushed to Corpus Christi Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Saldivar herself held officers at bay in the hotel parking lot for more than nine hours while she threatened to commit suicide.

Selena (left) is said to have loyally defended Saldivar (right) despite the criticism, until discrepancies in company finances soured relations

Now 63, as she approaches her potential release date, Saldivar has insisted that ‘it’s time to set the record straight’

Hostage negotiators were sent and she was eventually captured, but insisted she shot Selena accidentally.

Saldivar was found guilty of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole from March 30, 2025.

Selena’s murder had a widespread impact with reactions to her death compared to those following the deaths of musicians John Lennon and Elvis Presley.

But the new docuseries will offer an explosive new look at the events.

Saldivar, who has always maintained her innocence and has appealed several times without success, spoke directly to documentary makers from behind bars.

In a recently released trailer, she said, “After so many years, I think it’s time to set the record straight. My family collected the evidence and it showed different versions of what was going on.

‘I was scared, I was scared. I knew her secrets and I think people deserve to know the truth.”

Oxygen’s Selena & Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them airs February 17