Selena Quintanilla's Death: Could a Blood Transfusion Save the Singer?

March 31, 1995 marks the day of singer Selena Quintanilla's untimely passing. The cultural icon was set to conquer the world with her hit songs. She was only 23 when she met a tragic end at the hands of her biggest fan, Yolanda Saldívar.

Saldivar is the founder of Selena's fan's club and eventually became her manager, according to Film Daily.

The singer confronted Saldivar about embezzling $30,000 funds from her clothing boutique. Their heated confrontation turned deadly after Saldivar shot Selena in the back with a .38 caliber gun.

Twenty-five years after Selena Quintanilla passed away, her death is still shrouded in mystery and questions. People still mourn for the untimely loss of the superstar, and some are even thinking if her death could have been averted.

Did Selena's father oppose blood transfusion?

Until now, some fans are still asking this persistent question: Could Selena have survived her injuries with a blood transfusion?

Shortly after her death, rumors spread that the singer's father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., allegedly refused a blood transfusion on his daughter.

The singer and her family members were Jehovah's witnesses. Based on their biblical doctrines, blood transfusion is prohibited.

Read also: The Untold Truth About Selena Quintanilla: The Mexican Madonna

When he arrived at the hospital, doctors informed Abraham about their exhaustive efforts to save Selena. This includes administering six units of blood in an attempt to revive the singer. Upon hearing this, Abraham Quintanilla reportedly yelled: "No! She doesn't want that!"

The doctors never verified if Selena's father said these words, or if he was indeed upset because of the blood transfusion. In any case, the blood transfusion was already performed because the doctors did not know of Selena's religion then.

In the court transcript, Dr. Louise Elkins stated that by the time Selena made it to the emergency room, she was no longer showing any vital signs.

"Although I respect her faith, she did not have the opportunity to tell me to discontinue that treatment," said Elkins, describing Selena's state as 'brain dead.'

Singer was already 'brain dead'

Elkins also stated that even if the blood transfusion was successful, and the singer regained a heartbeat, she would have been mentally incapacitated. "In my opinion, brain dead. I tried to stop the blood loss so I could bring back her heart."

The attending doctor described her heart as 'blue and empty of blood' because her artery was severed from the gunshot wound.

According to AP News, the bullet also damaged her lung and right shoulder. Despite efforts to save the singer, Selena died at the operating table at 1:05 p.m., but Elkins claimed that she was already clinically dead by the time she arrived at the hospital.

Saldívar insisted that it was an accident, and even threatened to kill herself during the interrogation. She was eventually arrested and sentenced to life in prison. She could be eligible for parole in 2025.

During her wake, more than 50,000 avid fans mourned the loss of the iconic singer, according to Biography. Her family also agreed to an open-casket wake to give fans a last glimpse of Selena Quintanilla.

Related story: Selena Quintanilla's Final Days: Things You May Not Know