At a Glance
- Mexican Facebook star Chakin Valadez was shot dead in his truck on Jan. 10
- The 44-year-old posted a video and cryptic “last trip” note hours earlier
- No arrests have been made; Baja prosecutors continue the investigation
- Why it matters: Violence against popular creators spotlights safety risks for on-the-road influencers
A beloved Mexican delivery-driver-turned-influencer who chronicled life on the road for 164,000 Facebook followers was found fatally shot inside his truck near Ensenada, hours after sharing an eerily prescient post about the journey being his last.
The Attack
Isaac Efraín Valadez-known online as Chakin Valadez-was discovered just before 7 a.m. on Jan. 10 after police received reports of gunfire, according to El Heraldo de México. Officers found the 44-year-old slumped in the cab with multiple bullet wounds; at least seven shots were fired and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not announced any suspects. The Baja California State Attorney General’s Office confirmed the homicide investigation remains open.
Final Hours on Social Media
Valadez updated his accounts throughout the night:
- Late Jan. 9: Posted a video driving toward the desert town of Cataviña, remarking on strong winds buffeting the truck
- Minutes later: Wrote in Spanish that the run felt like “the last one,” adding, “we gonna enjoy it like it’s the first of the year. Nothing is as real as the speed that persists when looking or feeling through the windows of the soul.”
The post drew excited replies from fans asking about the next route. By morning, those comments turned into an outpouring of grief.
Online Legacy
For years Valadez filmed roadside vistas, small-town food stands and loading-dock banter, cultivating an audience that saw him as a digital traveling companion across Mexico. His page blended working-class pride with postcard snapshots of the country’s highways.
After news of his death spread, followers flooded the final Facebook entry:
- “I was lucky enough to know and work with Chaquin for a while. He was an honest, hardworking man, always with a big smile,” wrote one user.
- “I can’t and don’t want to believe it. My deepest condolences and strength to his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and all his family,” commented another.
- A third added, “May our great friend from Baja California rest in peace. Our friend Chakin Valadez will be greatly missed.”
Investigation Status
| Key Details | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Date of death | Jan. 10, ~7 a.m. |
| Location | Ensenada, Baja California |
| Cause | Multiple gunshot wounds |
| Arrests | None reported |
| Agency lead | Baja California State Attorney General’s Office |
According to News Of Losangeles, sources told Olivia M. Hartwell that detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby gas stations and toll booths, though no official breakthrough has been announced.
Tributes Continue
Fellow drivers and fans have kept Valadez’s comment section alive with memories, photos taken at highway stops, and clips from his livestreams. Many are demanding justice, calling attention to violence that can shadow long-haul routes in parts of Mexico.
Valadez’s family has not released a formal statement, but relatives acknowledged the supportive messages in a brief reply on Facebook, writing simply, “Thank you for loving him.”
Key Takeaways
- A popular content creator who turned daily deliveries into travel stories for tens of thousands was gunned down inside his truck
- His final posts hint he sensed danger, yet continued to share the journey
- With no suspects in custody, pressure mounts on authorities to solve the case and address safety on major freight corridors
