Police detained a California man Sunday, wanted in connection with the disappearance and death of his former girlfriend.
According to the Morgan Hill Times, the U.S. Marshals arrested Martin Mendoza at around 2 p.m. in El Centro. He’s considered a person of interest in the death of 18-year-old Marissa DiNapoli.
According to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, Mendoza is “in custody” at the jail, but his charges are not yet listed. An Imperial County sheriff’s deputy told the Times that “he’s the one” when asked if the arrest was in connection with a “murder case.”
Morgan City mayor, Mark Turner, then announced the arrest on Facebook Monday morning.
“As Mayor of Morgan Hill, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all law enforcement agencies involved in the pursuit and capture of Martin Mendoza,” Mayor Mark Turner announced on Facebook. “While Martin Mendoza’s capture does not bring Marissa back, it is a crucial step toward justice and healing for her family and friends.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, 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 Sunday at around 9:45 a.m., at a residence off of Trail Drive, just outside of Morgan City, with Mendoza. On Wednesday, a group with a drone 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,” police previously said on social media. “Detectives are actively seeking information on his whereabouts and urge anyone with knowledge to contact local law enforcement immediately.”
The Santa Clara County Coroner’s office confirmed Thursday that the body had been found under the bridge.
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.
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[Feature Photo: Marissa DiNapoli/Instagram]
