Tekashi 6ix9ine, Cardi B and Others Mourn the Mysterious Death of Influencer, Ariela La Langosta; Police Investigate
Westchester County Police are investigating the death of a 33-year-old influencer with ties to the area. Ariela La Langosta, a fashion and lifestyle influencer with 500,000 followers, was found dead on the morning of August 17 in Mount Vernon, New York. The social media maven’s death sparked tributes to flood in from those who knew her well, including rappers Tekashi 6ix9ine and Cardi B. Tekashi 6ix9ine worked with Ariela La Langosta before her death.
Ariela La Langosta’s cause of death revealed
Ariela La Langosta, whose real name was Ariela Meija-Polanco, was found dead on Sunday, August 17, around 8 am. Police located the influencer inside her vehicle on the shoulder of the Cross County Parkway. Police were called to the scene after a passerby reported a disabled vehicle near the Broad Street exit in the city of Mount Vernon. La Langosta was pronounced dead at the scene. While police initially withheld La Langosta’s cause of death, they revealed on August 19 that the 33-year-old had died from multiple gunshot wounds. According to News 12 Westchester, La Langosta was found behind the wheel of the vehicle.
While the police did not reveal the make and model of the car in which La Langosta was found, they did note that she was the owner of the vehicle. In March, the influencer shared photos and videos of her new car, a 2025 Mercedes-AMG G63, on Instagram. In the photo carousel, she posed with the vehicle and showed off a luxury purse filled with stacks of $100 bills. Robbery does not appear to have been a motive in the slaying, though. The Westchester County Police have noted that La Langosta’s death appears to have been a targeted attack.
The Cross County Parkway at the Broad Street exit is a busy thoroughfare that encounters heavy traffic. Still, it is unclear how long La Langosta’s car was on the side of the road before it was discovered. According to People, La Langosta had worked at Ikon New York, a lounge in the Inwood section of Manhattan, on the evening of August 16. It’s unclear when she left the business or if she told anyone where she was headed next. Police have not named a suspect in her death.
Tekashi 6ix9ine and Cardi B both paid tribute to the late influencer
While police investigate La Langosta’s death as a homicide, celebrities and businesses are coming forward to mourn the loss. Tekashi 6ix9ine paid tribute to La Langosta on Instagram shortly after news of her death broke. The rapper took to Instagram to call the late influencer “the queen of New York,” while sharing a series of photos on his story. Tekashi 6ix9ine and La Langosta collaborated on his music video for “Wapae.” She was a featured dancer. It is unclear if they were romantically linked.
Cardi B also stepped forward to mourn the loss of Ariela La Langosta. The controversial artist grew up not far from where La Langosta was last seen alive. Cardi B shared a photo of the influencer, accompanied by a brief caption. Several lounges, restaurants, and bars also paid tribute to La Langosta. Ikon New York remains shuttered while the establishment mourns the loss of its teammate.
This is a developing story…
