Maryland Man Arrested in Murder of Missing Teen

A 35-year-old man from Bowie, Maryland, has been arrested in connection with the murder of Dakara Thompson, a 19-year-old woman reported missing recently. Her body was discovered earlier this week along a highway.

Hugo Hernandez Mendes faces charges of first and second-degree murder, according to the Prince George County police. Authorities have noted that he is an illegal immigrant, and he was taken into custody after a detention order was issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The police department has not clarified Hernandez Mendes’s immigration status, and when inquiries were made to ICE, they did not immediately respond.

Interestingly, reports indicate that Hernandez Mendes was previously arrested for driving while intoxicated back in April but was released pending a court appearance. Attempts to get a response from the park police about this incident were also unsuccessful.

Thompson’s family reported her missing on August 23. Tragically, her body was found in a grassy area near Route 50 in Anne Arundel County just days later.

Investigators reviewed security footage showing Thompson talking to the driver of a Black SUV before getting in. They believe the vehicle later took her to Hernandez Mendes’s home.

A search warrant executed at that residence has revealed evidence that points to Thompson being murdered inside. Hernandez Mendes lived there, in the bedroom linked to the crime. Police stated they also have access to the SUV identified in the footage.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed his condolences regarding Thompson’s death, labeling her a “bright light” and emphasizing his commitment to ensuring justice is served. He mentioned the nation mourns this “act of meaningless violence” and vowed to deploy all necessary resources to hold those responsible accountable.

While the official cause of death has yet to be determined, police believe that further evidence from their investigation will clarify the details of her murder. Detectives are still trying to establish whether Hernandez Mendes and Thompson knew each other prior to her disappearance.

Currently, Hernandez Mendes remains in custody with the Maryland Department of Corrections.