HYATTSVILLE, Md. — The search for 19-year-old DaCara Thompson ended in tragedy Friday as Prince George’s County police announced her death is now being investigated as a homicide.
County Executive Aisha Braveboy acknowledged the painful news, saying: “It is tough that we are at this point, where the search is over and justice begins.”
Authorities arrested Hugo Hernandez-Mendez, 35, of Bowie, charging him with first- and second-degree murder in connection with Thompson’s death.
Thompson’s body was discovered Sunday in a grassy area along Route 50 in Anne Arundel County, prompting a Maryland State Police investigation. However, PGPD Chief George Nader said detectives believe she was actually killed inside Hernandez-Mendez’s bedroom on Kembridge Drive in Bowie — roughly 20 miles from where her body was found.
Surveillance footage from the day Thompson went missing showed her getting into a black SUV later linked to Hernandez-Mendez. Police are still working to determine whether the two knew each other before August 23, the day she disappeared.
Thompson had last been seen in Hyattsville after telling her family, “I’m going out. I’ll be back.”
In addition to the murder charges, an ICE detainer has been issued for Hernandez-Mendez, who had previously been arrested in April for DUI by U.S. Park Police. He was expected to appear in court for a bond hearing Monday.
Investigators are still working to determine Thompson’s exact cause of death.
Thompson, a graduate of St. Charles High School in Charles County, lived in Lanham with her father and had recently joined Maryland’s Service Year Option, a program that places young graduates with local nonprofits. She worked with Nonprofit Prince George’s County, contributing to community service projects.
Braveboy remembered her as “a good young woman who wanted to do good for her community.”
Gov. Wes Moore also honored Thompson’s life, calling her “a bright light in our state” and pledging to hold those responsible accountable.
