A shocking tragedy unfolded as 23-year-old beauty queen Landy Párraga lost her life in a restaurant shortly after posting a photo of her octopus ceviche meal on social media. The young model, who had previously secured fifth place in the 2022 Miss Ecuador pageant and amassed over a million followers across her online platforms, was brutally gunned down in what authorities suspect was a targeted attack.
The news of her death has left the public in disbelief, with social media flooded with tributes from heartbroken fans. One devastated follower shared, “She didn’t deserve this. May she rest in peace.” Another expressed their sorrow alongside a broken heart emoji, writing, “I still can’t process your painful departure.” Many echoed the sentiment, with one commenting, “What a tragic and unjust fate.”
Authorities believe that Párraga’s social media post may have inadvertently revealed her location, providing crucial information to her assailants. The young beauty was dining with a male companion when two armed men entered the restaurant. Surveillance footage captures the horrifying moment as one gunman approaches Párraga and fires multiple rounds at close range, while the second assailant stands guard at the restaurant’s entrance. The attackers swiftly flee, leaving the beauty queen lifeless on the floor.
Reports indicate that Párraga sustained three gunshot wounds and succumbed to her injuries shortly after. Law enforcement is currently investigating the case, working to identify those responsible for the brutal killing.
In a further twist, Párraga has been linked to notorious Ecuadorian drug trafficker Leandro Norero. Investigators uncovered alleged text messages from Norero’s phone suggesting a secret relationship between the two. These messages, obtained as part of “Operation Metastasis,” a major investigation into corruption among Ecuadorian officials, reportedly revealed conversations about their connection and evidence of extravagant gifts he had given her. One of Norero’s messages to an associate read, “If my wife finds out anything about her, I’m finished.”
Authorities are also examining Párraga’s business dealings, as she was known to run a sportswear brand and an import business. Investigators are probing whether these ventures were connected to Norero’s illicit operations. Despite these allegations, Párraga was never charged with any crime, nor did she publicly acknowledge any connection to Norero.
Norero himself met a violent end in 2022 when he was killed during a prison riot. Many of his known associates remain under investigation as part of the ongoing Operation Metastasis case. Párraga’s murder raises further questions about the dangerous undercurrents of Ecuador’s criminal underworld and whether her untimely death was linked to her rumored past connections.
The tragic loss of the young beauty queen has left many shaken, with calls for justice growing louder. Her untimely and brutal death serves as a chilling reminder of the risks of sharing personal information online and the dark forces that operate behind the scenes.