Adal Peña Is The Latest Influencer To Be Killed in the Wave of Sinaloa Cartel Violence

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The community of Culiacán, located in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, has once again been shaken by the tragic news of another murdered influencer. Adalberto Peña Urquidez, known as Adal Peña or "El Tata," aged 42, was shot while exercising near Plaza Vancouver in the Tres Ríos neighborhood.

The news have sparked concern on social media, where his followers and friends have shared messages of grief and expressed their condolences.

A case with loose ends

Adal Peña was a well-known figure on digital platforms, where he shared content about fitness and his daily life.

With over 170,000 followers on TikTok and about 18,000 on Instagram, his influence extended beyond the local community. On the morning of Thursday, January 23, at approximately 7:40 AM, authorities reported a body found on Boulevard Rotarismo.

After being called to the scene, authorities confirmed the victim to be Peña.

The details of the attack remain unclear, but reports indicate that he was ambushed by an armed group while working out. Municipal police secured the scene, and the State Attorney General's Office has launched an investigation into the incident.

More than an influencer

The news of Adal Peña's murder deeply impacted not only his followers but also his family and friends. His wife shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, remembering him with love and emphasizing that he would forever remain in their hearts.

Condolences poured in across social platforms, with many expressing sorrow over the loss of someone who had positively influenced so many lives.

Beyond his fitness content, Peña often shared family moments and motivational messages, becoming an inspiration to young people pursuing a healthy lifestyle.

His last social media post was a congratulatory message to a bodybuilder friend.

A growing pattern of violence

Peña's murder adds to a string of violent incidents in Sinaloa in recent months, including the deaths of several influencers reportedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel.

On the same day as Peña's killing, two municipal police officers were murdered in a separate attack. The region has seen a significant increase in violence, much of it tied to drug trafficking and other criminal activities.

These events have led the community to demand justice and more effective measures from authorities to ensure public safety.

Social media has become a platform for expressing frustration and seeking answers to the violence that affects not only public figures like Adal Peña but also ordinary citizens.