Authorities in New York have revealed the cause of death of Arriela La Langosta, a popular online personality whose death made waves on social media.
The 33-year-old, whose real name Ariela Mejia-Polanco, was found dead behind the wheel of her vehicle on Cross County Parkway in Mount Vernon, a city north of the Bronx, on Sunday, Aug. 17, according to the Westchester County Police Department.
Police confirmed that Mejia-Polanco died from gunshot wounds, and a preliminary investigation revealed that she “was likely targeted for violence and her death was not a random act.”
The social media influencer, known online from her account @ariiela.lalangosta, had 570,000 followers on Instagram and had a high-profile friendship with rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine.
Ariiela ‘La Langosta’: Beauty influencer was a friend of rap star Tekashi 6ix9ine
77406937007
‘NY won’t ever be the same’
6ix9ine shared a series of videos of himself and Mejia-Polanco spending time together and joking around, praising her as a “tremendous woman.”
“The queen of New York,” Tekashi added, including a snippet of their favorite song, Aventura’s early 2000s hit “Obsesión.” “NY won’t ever be the same.”
Mejia-Polanco was featured as a dancer in the music video for Tekashi’s 2023 song, “Wapae,” from the rapper’s third album, “Leyenda Viva.”
In subsequent posts, Tekashi gushed that Mejia-Polanco “supported me in everything” and that the influencer was like a “sister” to him.
WABC reported that rapper Cardi B also acknowledged her passing with the message, “RIP Dominican Pretty.”
Reactions pour in for mother of two
According to local media outlets WABC-TV and CBS News New York, Mejia-Polanco worked in the New York City nightlife scene. Ikon New York, a Manhattan restaurant and disco lounge, paid tribute to her in an emotional Instagram post on Aug. 17.
“Our hearts are broken. Your joy, your humility, and the way you treated everyone with so much care always made you stand out,” the statement said. “Thank you for giving so much love and support to our home, which also became yours.”
Opus Lounge also shared a post: “We join with his family’s grief at this difficult time and send our deepest condolences.”
Mejia-Polanco is survived by her two children, who are 13 and 14 years old, WABC-TV reported.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ariiela La Langosta’s shooting death was ‘likely targeted,’ police say
