Authorities confirmed Friday that a 19-year-old Maryland woman who vanished two weeks ago has been found dead, and an illegal alien is charged with her murder.
Police say Hugo Hernandez-Mendez, a 35-year-old from Guatemala, killed Dacara Thompson before throwing her body off a bridge.
The Disappearance
Thompson left her father’s Lanham home on Aug. 22, saying she was going to get gas.
Her family reported her missing the next day when she did not return.
Her car was discovered Aug. 24 parked across from a fire station, with her purse still inside.
Court documents show Thompson was seen approaching a black GMC Yukon Denali in a Langley Park parking lot.
She spoke briefly with the driver, then got into the passenger seat.
Police confirmed Hernandez-Mendez drove a matching vehicle.
NEW: Illegal has been charged with m*rder after a 19-year-old woman was found dead in Maryland
35-year-old Hugo Hernandez-Mendez was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree m*rder
Dacara Thompson, 19, left her father’s home on August 22 saying she was going to put… pic.twitter.com/7bw54iuAZ8
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) September 6, 2025
On Aug. 31, Maryland State Police discovered Thompson’s body on a riverbank off Route 50 in Anne Arundel County.
She had skull and facial fractures and was found naked.
Investigators believe Hernandez-Mendez killed her inside his Bowie home before dumping her body in the South River.
Illegal Alien History
Hernandez-Mendez was living in the United States illegally.
He was arrested in April by U.S. Park Police on suspicion of DUI but released by federal authorities pending trial.
ICE has now lodged a detainer against him, calling Prince George’s County “historically uncooperative” with immigration enforcement.
“Local officials endanger residents by refusing to honor ICE detainers and releasing criminal illegal aliens back into the community,” ICE Baltimore said in a statement.
“Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE will relentlessly prioritize public safety by arresting and removing criminal alien offenders.”
Critics argue sanctuary policies directly contributed to Thompson’s death.
Remembering Dacara
Thompson was a recent graduate of St. Charles High School and worked for a nonprofit service program.
Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy described her as a “good young woman who wanted to do good for her community.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore called her “a bright light in our state” and vowed justice.
