MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (BN24) — New York social media influencer Ariela La Langosta, a close friend of controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine who appeared in his 2023 music video, was found dead in her vehicle on a Westchester County parkway Sunday morning, authorities said. She was 33.
Ariela Mejia-Polanco, 33, who has addresses in Westchester and Rockland counties, was found deceased about 8 a.m. behind the wheel of her car on the eastbound Cross County Parkway near the Broad Street exit in Mount Vernon, the Westchester County Police Department announced Monday.
The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Mejia-Polanco died from gunshot wounds, and investigators have determined her death was not a random act of violence, police said in a statement posted on the department’s Facebook page.
Police described the killing as a targeted attack, stating that preliminary investigation indicated the Dominican content creator was “likely targeted for violence.” The homicide remains under active investigation by detectives from the General Investigations Unit, with assistance from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
“Due to that ongoing investigation, additional details are not being disclosed at this time,” the police statement concluded.
The social media personality, who went by the moniker La Langosta, had amassed more than 566,000 followers on Instagram, where she regularly shared fashion and modeling content. She gained wider recognition through her association with Tekashi 6ix9ine, appearing in his “Wapae” music video released in 2023.
The Brooklyn-born rapper, whose legal name is Daniel Hernandez, took to his Instagram Story Sunday night to pay tribute to his longtime friend, calling her a “tremendous woman” and the “queen of New York” in a series of emotional videos.
“You supported me in everything,” the rapper wrote in his tribute, which was accompanied by a snippet of Aventura’s early 2000s hit “Obsesión.” He added in both English and Spanish: “My sister. NY won’t ever be the same. I loved you.”
Mejia-Polanco’s death has sent ripples through New York’s nightlife and social media communities, where she was a well-known figure. Ikon New York in Inwood, where she worked, announced it would temporarily close its doors “out of respect for one of our beloved team members.”
“Today we lost our shining star,” the restaurant wrote on Instagram Sunday. “Our hearts are broken. Your joy, your humility, and the way you treated everyone with so much care always made you stand out.”
The establishment described Mejia-Polanco as “a brilliant, humble soul with incredible energy — the kind of person who could light up any room she entered.”
Queens-based lounge Starlet of NY also honored the model, with staff members expressing they were “deeply saddened by the loss.”
“She was a one-of-a-kind soul — a beautiful friend, loving mother, and daughter whose smile and energy lit up every room she entered,” the nightclub wrote on Instagram. “Her energy will forever be missed, but her spirit will always live on with us.”
The investigation into Mejia-Polanco’s death continues as authorities work to identify suspects and determine the motive behind the targeted killing. Police have not released information about potential suspects or whether any arrests have been made.
The Cross County Parkway, where Mejia-Polanco was discovered, is a major east-west highway that connects the Bronx River Parkway to the Hutchinson River Parkway, serving as a key thoroughfare for commuters traveling through Westchester County.
NYPOST.COM
