PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — A man in the United States illegally has been charged with killing a 19-year-old who was reported missing last month.
DaCara Thompson vanished on Aug. 22 and police found surveillance video showing her getting into a black SUV in the early morning hours of Aug. 23. Her body was found on Aug. 31.
Hugo Hernandez-Mendez, 35, was arrested on first- and second-degree murder charges after evidence was found inside his home, Prince George’s County Police Chief George Nader said Friday.
DeCara Thompson’s disappearance
Thompson was last seen on Aug. 22 near the Jasmine Terrace and Riggs Road after parking her car. Cameras in the area captured her walking down the sidewalk and leaving her car behind.
She was reported missing by her family the next day.
Days later, on Aug. 31, Maryland State Police troopers were called to a grassy area off of Route 50 in Anne Arundel County after a disabled vehicle was found. There, troopers found Thompson’s body in the grass.
As the investigation developed, police found additional surveillance video that showed Thompson approaching a black SUV not far from her own vehicle on the morning of Aug. 23. After speaking to the driver, she got into the car, according to officials.
Authorities noted that the man then drove to a home in Bowie.
Evidence found in suspect’s bedroom
On Sept. 4, detectives obtained a search warrant for the home, where they found evidence suggesting Thompson was killed in the bedroom before her body was moved.
Hernandez-Mendez, who lives in the bedroom and has access to the black SUV, was taken into custody and charged with murder and related charges. He is being held without bond.
Neighbors were shaken Friday after learning the news.
“I guess you really don’t know who your neighbors are. I know this is hard, losing a child. She might have been 19, but she was still someone’s kid. So, it’s truly devastating,” said William Hernandez, who says he spoke to the suspect, his neighbor in the few days before his arrest. “He seemed normal. I said my hellos, asked how his day was, he said it was good.”
Other neighbors and Bowie locals stopped by the scene Friday to pay their respects and get a closer look.
“I’m really shaken up that something would happen on my street,” said neighbor Tracey Franklin.
“It’s very unfortunate that we have to live in a society where predators are always lurking,” said Shawn G., who also lives in Bowie. “I just can only imagine how she felt during this time and the feeling of hopelessness. I just felt that there was a need for me to come out to extend my condolences to the family and and maybe provide some flowers or some sense of, you know, how I’m feeling to express my sadness.”
Thompson’s cause of death has not yet been determined.
Police probe suspect’s motive, immigration status
Detectives are also working to determine if Thompson and Hernandez-Mendez knew each other before Aug. 23.
During the news conference Friday, Aisha Braveboy remembered Thompson as a woman who dedicated her life to serving others. She added that she was working for a nonprofit as part of her service year option, which she decided to join.
Days after Thompson’s disappearance, her missing persons flyer went viral across social media, sparking concerns and questions. Her disappearance caught the attention of community leaders and missing person advocates in Prince George’s County and across the DMV.
“It is tough at this point where the search is over and justice begins,” emphasized Aisha Braveboy, executive of Prince George’s County.
Nader said they are not aware of any additional violent crime in his history, but noted Hernandez-Mendez was arrested by U.S. Park Police, a federal agency, in April on a DUI charge before he was released pending trial. He added that an ICE detainer was issued for Hernandez-Mendez.
An ICE spokesperson told WGXA, “Hugo Rene Hernandez-Mendez is a criminal alien from Guatemala charged with first-degree murder in Prince George’s County, Maryland. On Sept. 4, ICE Baltimore lodged an immigration detainer against Hernandez with the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections, who is historically uncooperative.
“During an interview with Hernandez, ICE officers determined that he illegally entered the United States on an unknown date and location and without inspection or admission by a U.S. immigration official. Local officials, like Prince George’s County endanger the safety of its residents by refusing to honor ICE detainers and releasing criminal illegal aliens back into the community to reoffend. We can only hope that’s not the case with Hernandez-Mendez.
“ICE Baltimore will continue to monitor this situation and ensure criminal illegal aliens are kept off the streets of Maryland. Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE will relentlessly prioritize public safety by arresting and removing criminal alien offenders from American communities.”