New York Influencer Ariela La Langosta Dies in Targeted Homicide

Ariela La Langosta, a 33-year-old Dominican influencer and bartender, was found dead in her car on the Cross County Parkway in Mount Vernon, New York, suffering gunshot wounds in what authorities believe was a targeted homicide rather than a random act. The Westchester County Police Department confirmed the cause of death and said the investigation is ongoing with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies. La Langosta, whose real name was Ariela Mejia-Polanco, was well-known on social media with over 566,000 Instagram followers and had appeared in rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine's 2023 music video "Wapae," with whom she shared a close friendship. Tekashi 6ix9ine and other friends mourned her publicly, with the rapper calling her the "queen of New York" and praising her joy and humility. La Langosta worked at Ikon New York, a Manhattan restaurant and lounge that closed temporarily to honor her memory and support grieving staff. She leaves behind two children, and police have withheld further details as the homicide investigation continues.