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Dominican Influencer Ariela Mejía-Polanco Found Dead in new York
By Anya Schmidt | NEW YORK – 2025/08/20 09:22:35
Authorities in Westchester County are investigating the death of Ariela Mejía-Polanco,a Dominican influencer known as Ariela ‘La lobster’ on social media. The instagram personality, who had over 568,000 followers, died from gunshot wounds, according to people.
The influencer’s body was discovered at approximately 8:00 am on Sunday, August 17, inside her vehicle on the cross County Parkway highway, near Broad Street in Mount Vernon, New York. Preliminary investigations suggest a targeted attack, according to authorities.
The Westchester County Police Department stated, “His death was not a random act,” adding that the General investigation Unit is handling the ongoing investigation.
Who was ariela ‘the lobster’?
Ariela worked as a host at the restaurant Ikon New York in Manhattan, where she had worked the night before her death. The establishment confirmed this data. In a statement, the restaurant said, “Your joy, your humility and the way you treated everyone with such love always made you highlight. Thank you for giving so much love and support to our home, which also became yours.” The restaurant announced it would close untill Thursday, August 21, as a sign of mourning.
The restaurant added, “It was a brilliant and humble soul, with astonishing energy, the type of person that illuminated any space to which it entered. We will all miss it deeply.”
Ariela also worked as a dancer, model, and beauty content creator. Born in the Dominican republic,she later moved to the USA,residing between Westchester and Rockland counties.
“It was a brilliant and humble soul, with incredible energy, the type of person that illuminated any space to which it entered. We will all miss it deeply.”
The news of her death shocked followers, friends, and members of the New York nightlife community. Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine, a friend of the influencer, posted on his Instagram account: “Ny will never be the same. I loved you.”
As the investigation remains active, police have not released further details.
