Influencer Ariela 'La Langosta', friend of rapper 6ix9ine, shot and killed while driving in targeted attack, police believe
An influencer who was found dead in her car was killed in a targeted attack while she was driving, police believe.
Ariela "La Langosta" died aged 33 earlier this month.
Westchester County Police Department in New York reported that a woman named Ariela Mejia-Polanco was found dead in her car on the Cross County Parkway on Sunday August 17. Following a preliminary investigation, police determined she died of gunshot wounds and was "likely targeted for violence," according to a news release.
“Investigation to date, we do believe she was targeted at this time,” Westchester County Police Chief James Luciano told CBS New York yesterday (Monday August 25).
According to CBS New York, police believe the influencer was shot while driving and stopped the vehicle on the side of the parkway after she was struck. Authorities are working to retrace the social media star’s movements and activities in the days before her death, though they have chosen to withhold some information from public release to safeguard the investigation, the outlet also reported.
Ariela's workplace Ikon New York also confirmed her passing last week, sharing on Instagram on the day she died: "Today we lost our shining star. Our hearts are broken. Your joy, your humility, and the way you treated everyone with so much care always made you stand out. Thank you for giving so much love and support to our home, which also became yours."
The establishment added, "We still can’t believe it… you were our smile, our happiness. We love you and we will miss you forever." In the wake of Ariela's death, the restaurant said it has temporarily closed "out of respect for one of our beloved team members who recently passed away."
According to CBS News, Mejia-Polanco is survived by two young daughters. The content creator, who was known for her public friendship with rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine, regularly shared content about fashion and modeling on her Instagram account, which had over 556,000 followers. In a series of August 17 Instagram Stories translated from Spanish, the rapper called her a "tremendous woman" and the "queen of New York."
"You supported me in everything," 6ix9ine added in a tribute to the model. "My sister." The Dominican influencer starred in 6ix9ine's "Wapae" music video in 2023.