A 35-year-old undocumented immigrant has been charged with the murder of a Maryland teenager. On Friday, Hugo Hernandez Mendes was formally accused of first and second-degree murder following the discovery that 19-year-old Dakara Thompson was reported missing near Washington.
Authorities believe Mendes killed Thompson in his bedroom, with surveillance footage showing her entering a black SUV that took her to Bowie’s residence, according to the Prince George County Police Department.
Mendes has noticeable scars above his right eye. Prince George County Executive Aisha Braveboy mentioned at a press conference that Mendes had previous DUI arrests. He was released earlier this year despite ongoing legal issues and is currently in ICE custody while facing murder charges.
It’s still unclear whether Mendes had any prior connection to Thompson. Her car was found two days later, parked improperly beside a fire hydrant, with her wallet and credit cards still inside.
Thompson’s body was eventually located discarded along Route 50 in Anne Arundel County, confirming her as the missing teenager. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage that captured Thompson approaching the SUV around 3 AM on the night she disappeared. Following discussions with the driver, she entered the vehicle.
Police Chief George Nader stated, “It seems Dakara willingly got into the suspect’s vehicle for reasons that are still being investigated.” The vehicle was traced to Bowie’s home, where officers later confirmed that Thompson was murdered in the bedroom.
“We believe the incident occurred in the bedroom,” Nader added. “There’s still more to uncover regarding how they interacted before the tragic event.”
Authorities noted that Thompson’s body was discarded in a field roughly seven miles away from where the murder took place. Investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of her death.
Thompson, a graduate of St. Charles High School in Waldorf, had been working with a nonprofit organization as part of her service year program. County Executive Braveboy expressed the immense loss, describing Thompson as a young woman dedicated to helping others and urged the community to support her family during this difficult time.
