Maryland Woman's Murder Suspect Charged with Homicide

Strategic Insights -

A 35-year-old man, reportedly in the U.S. illegally, has been charged with killing 19-year-old Dacara Thompson, whose body was discovered off a highway in Maryland. Hugo Hernandez-Mendez, who lived in the same house where investigators found evidence of the crime, is accused of first- and second-degree murder. Hernandez-Mendez was previously arrested for a DWI in April and had a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer issued after his arrest for Thompson's murder. The investigation is ongoing, with police working to determine whether Hernandez-Mendez and Thompson knew each other before her disappearance.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hugo Hernandez-Mendez, 35, has been charged with first- and second-degree murder in the death of 19-year-old Dacara Thompson.
  • Hernandez-Mendez is reportedly in the U.S. illegally and had a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer issued on Thursday.
  • Investigators found evidence of the crime in the bedroom of a house in Bowie, Maryland, where Hernandez-Mendez lived.
  • Hernandez-Mendez has a previous arrest for a DWI in April and was released pending a court appearance.
  • The motive for the crime is not yet clear, and police are working to determine whether Hernandez-Mendez and Thompson knew each other before her disappearance.
  • The 19-year-old's cause of death has not been determined yet, but it may be ruled a homicide based on the evidence collected.
  • Hernandez-Mendez is being held without bond by the Maryland Department of Corrections.

Statistics:

  • Age of the murder suspect: 35
  • Age of the victim: 19
  • Number of murder charges against Hernandez-Mendez: 2 (first- and second-degree)
  • Previous arrest for DWI: 1
  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer issued: 1

Sources:

  • Prince George's County Police Department
  • WJLA-TV
  • Fox News Digital