International Manhunt Concludes: Mother-in-Law of Slain Beauty Queen Arrested

After an intensive two-week search, law enforcement has apprehended the mother-in-law suspected of murdering a former beauty queen from Mexico, officials declared on Thursday.

The tragic death of 27-year-old Carolina Flores Gómez, who was Miss Teen Universe Baja California in 2017, occurred on April 15 when she was shot inside her upscale apartment in one of Mexico City’s wealthiest districts, as reported by the local news source El País.

Authorities successfully captured the suspect, Erika María Herrera, in Venezuela. This arrest followed the issuance of an arrest warrant by Mexican authorities and the collaboration with Interpol to deploy a Red Notice, which facilitated Venezuelan police in tracking her down after the alleged crime.

“The detained individual is presently in the custody of Venezuelan authorities, as we proceed with the necessary steps to arrange her extradition to Mexico,” stated the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office.

The incident, which left Carolina Flores Gómez dead from gunshot wounds in her luxurious residence, has led to her mother-in-law being identified as the primary suspect in what authorities are treating as a homicide case.

Herrera was identified as a lead suspect in the murder investigation, according to local reports, after video evidence later surfaced on social media showing the mother-in-law at the scene.

The victim was found with 12 gunshot wounds, including six to the head and six to the chest, inside a Polanco neighborhood apartment she shared with Herrera’s son, Alejandro, and the couple’s 8-month-old child, Mexican outlet Record reported. 

The son is also under investigation after reports indicated he allowed his mother to flee before reporting the shooting the next day, raising the possibility of a cover-up, El País added.

A woman identified as Erika Maria Herrera was arrested in Venezuala this week in a homicide case in Mexico. (@FiscaliaCDMX/X)

Video recorded by a baby monitor and released by local outlet Reforma, appeared to capture the moments leading up to the alleged killing, all while the son was nearby caring for the baby.

In the clip, the mother was seen following Flores into a room before multiple gunshots were heard followed by a scream.

In response, the son appeared to walk into the frame holding his child to confront his mother, asking what had happened.

Mexican prosecutors have opened a homicide case in the death of former beauty queen Carolina Flores Gómez. (Jam Press)

In a baffling turn, Maria appeared to respond callously to her son.

“Nothing, she just made me angry,” the mom said as she walked away.

“What are you doing? She is my family,” he said. 

The mother was then heard explaining, “You are mine, and she stole you.”

Former beauty queen Carolina Flores Gómez, 27, was found dead in her Mexico City apartment. (Jam Press)

Flores’ mother, Reyna Gomez Molina, told Univision News the son allegedly delayed reporting the incident out of fear that the child would be placed in foster care.  

“Thinking that if he was arrested, the baby would go to a children’s home. He made sure to record videos so they would know how to feed the child while he was away taking care of all the paperwork. That’s what he told me,” she said, adding that her offer to take care of her grandson was declined.

She had also pressed the son to clarify whether he had been next to the victim the entire time before reporting the incident but did not provide further details, according to the outlet.