Police in California found a body Wednesday, believed to be a teen reported missing Monday from Morgan City.
According to the Morgan Hill Police Department, 18-year-old Marissa DiNapoli last spoke with family members on Saturday, through a text message at 9:16 p.m. KSWB reports that she said had plans to visit a friend and “return home the following day,” but never returned.
Investigators said she was last seen Sunday at around 9:45 a.m., at a residence off of Trail Drive, right outside the city’s limits, with a man identified as Martin Mendoza. Then, on Wednesday, a family member searching for DiNapoli found a body under a bridge at the Anderson Lake County Park and contacted police.
“Martin Mendoza was not cooperative with our initial investigation and is now considered a person of interest in Marissa’s disappearance,” polices said on social media. “Detectives are actively seeking information on his whereabouts and urge anyone with knowledge to contact local law enforcement immediately.”
Although the body is believed to that of DiNapoli, Capt. Mario Ramirez of the Morgan Hill Police Department told The New York Post that the condition of the deteriorated body made it difficult to confirm. The body has been sent to the medical examiner’s office for identification.
DiNapoli reportedly told loved ones that Mendoza, said to be her former boyfriend who she reconnected with as friends in May, had threatened her and made her feel unsafe.
“Marissa has told me, firsthand in the car with my friends outside my house, that he would kill her, that he would not stop, that he’s obsessed with her, that he’s crazy and that he’s willing to go to that extent,” friend Jaslyn Gutierrez said, NBC Bay Area reports.
Anyone with information on the case should contact Detective Kyle Tolentino at (669) 253-4962, or email [email protected]. Anonymous tips should be sent to https://www.morgan-hill.ca.gov/FormCenter/Police-14/Morgan-Hill-Crime-Stoppers-88, or by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Feature Photo: Marissa DiNapoli/Instagram]
