An arrest has been made in the murder of a Maryland teen who disappeared last month after going out to put gas in her vehicle.
The body of 19-year-old Dacara Thompson was found in Anne Arundel County on Sunday, and on Friday, Prince George’s County Police Chief George Nader announced the arrest of Hugo Rene Hernandez Mendez, 35, for Thompson’s murder.
Nader said investigators determined that Thompson had gotten into Hernandez’s vehicle “willfully” on the night she went missing, and he drove her back to a home in Bowie, where the murder took place in a bedroom. From there, police said, he took the body to where it was found.
“We don’t believe she was moving around the home,” Nader said. “We believe everything transpired in the bedroom. What is surrounding the two coming together, that is what we’re still investigating.”
Police are also still investigating the “circumstances surrounding Thompson’s death” and did not provide any information about a cause or manner of death.
Maryland State Police found Thompson’s body about six miles from the home in Bowie when they were called to investigate a disabled vehicle, which was not connected with Thompson or Hernandez. The body was identified in consultation with Thompson’s family.
County Executive Aisha Braveboy told reporters that Hernandez had been arrested by US Park Police for a DUI in April but was released pending trial. An ICE detainer was not filed at that time, Nader said, but one has now been filed.
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson said that police have charged Hernandez with first- and second-degree murder and other related charges. He is being held without bond pending a bond hearing either later today or Monday.
“In the weeks to come my office will do a thorough review of the evidence, and we will determine whether or not Mr. Hernandez Mendez should be indicted, and if so, what he should be indicted for.”
Thompson disappeared on August 22 after telling her father she was headed out to get gas for her vehicle. Daniel Thompson said she texted him shortly before midnight, saying, “I got gas & I’m out. I should be back soon. I love you too. Goodnight as CrimeOnline reported.
That vehicle, a white, 2013 Ford Edge, was found Saturday at the intersection of Jasmine Terrace and Riggs Road in Langley Park.
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[Featured image: Dacara Thompson/handout]
