Hospital care and her final statement
Del Villar's death followed reports of spinal injuries from an accidental fall. Vanguardia, citing medical reports, attributed her death to cardiorespiratory arrest and described the injuries as serious. No official medical report had been released to establish the exact cause or clarify the circumstances of her death.
Morena Baja California spokesman Catalino Zavala Márquez told Semanario ZETA that del Villar entered the Mexican Social Security Institute's (IMSS) Clinic 20 in Tijuana for tests on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, and was reported to be stable. She later died at the IMSS Regional Hospital No. 1 in the same city.
In her Friday statement explaining her absence from party events, del Villar said she remained under medical care, was stable and was progressing favorably. She thanked those who had expressed concern and support, and said she planned to resume her responsibilities when her recovery permitted.
According to El Debate's account of her social media posts, her last public appearance had been on Oct. 2, 2026, at Morena's 15th-anniversary celebration at its Tijuana offices.
Governor and party announce the loss
Gov. Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda publicly confirmed the death on Sunday. In a farewell message, she recalled working with del Villar in her administration, expressed sadness and offered support and condolences to her family, friends and party colleagues.
El Debate reported that Morena's state communications office confirmed the death to El Sol de Tijuana. The party's communications secretary, Rocío Serna, said del Villar had died hours before the announcement. Semanario ZETA also reported that Morena Baja California acknowledged and mourned her death on its official page without identifying a cause.
Morena national president Ariadna Montiel Reyes paid tribute to del Villar's political work. Legislators, other public officials and party members across Baja California also expressed condolences to her family.
From the state Congress to party leadership
Del Villar spent most of her political career in Baja California, serving in legislative, cabinet and party posts. She was a member of the state Congress's 23rd Legislature from 2019 to 2021 before joining Marina del Pilar's administration.
Her cabinet role was secretary of Honesty and Public Function, a position later renamed secretary of Anti-Corruption and Good Government. According to Infobae, she resigned to concentrate fully on party work before assuming Morena's state leadership.
The party's State Council elected del Villar to lead its Baja California executive committee. She formally took office on Nov. 10, 2024, succeeding interim leader Catalino Zavala Márquez, El Debate reported. She helped organize Morena's activities statewide, and her term was due to continue through 2027.
Vacancy ahead of the electoral process
Morena must now determine the internal procedures for managing its Baja California organization with the presidency vacant. El Debate reported that del Villar died just days before the local electoral process was set to begin, as the party was still finalizing its municipal and district coordinators. The outlet described her absence as a loss for Morena's state organization ahead of the elections.
Official announcements have so far centered on confirming her death and expressing condolences. No funeral arrangements have been announced.
