Former beauty queen, 27, shot dead in luxury home, mother-in-law named as main suspect

A former beauty queen was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head in her apartment in one of Mexico City's wealthiest districts, with local reports naming her mother-in-law as the main suspect.

27-year-old Carolina Flores Gómez was found dead last Thursday in a high-end residential complex in Polanco, an affluent neighbourhood known for its security, according to Mexican outlet Reporte Indigo, as cited by the New York Post.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death, with reports stating that her mother-in-law, identified as Erika María, was inside the apartment at the time, together with Flores Gómez's husband, Alejandro Gómez.

Mother-in-law is key suspect

Investigators are also looking into why authorities were only alerted about a day after the shooting is believed to have taken place.

Local reports said Flores Gómez may have been killed the night before emergency services were called, raising questions over the delay in reporting the incident.

Building staff reportedly did not hear gunshots or notice any unusual activity at the residential complex.

Forensic teams and ballistics experts have since examined the apartment for evidence.

While Flores Gómez's mother-in-law has emerged as a key suspect in local reports, prosecutors are also examining the timeline provided by her husband, who reportedly raised the alarm the following day.

No further details have been publicly released on whether any arrests have been made.

Former beauty queen

Flores Gómez was known in her home state of Baja California, where she won Miss Teen Universe Baja California in 2017, according to The Mirror UK.

She was also described in reports as a model and influencer, and had won several local pageant titles in her hometown of Ensenada, Mexico.

Death sparks calls for urgent investigation

Her death has drawn public attention in Mexico, with Baja California governor Marina del Pilar Ávila calling for a full investigation.

Campaigners have also called for the case to be treated as femicide, amid wider concern over violence against women in Mexico.

Official statistics cited by local media indicate that around 10 women are killed each day in Mexico, with only a small proportion of cases resulting in sentencing.

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