Archive · 5 Sep 2025
Maryland Man Charged with Murder of Missing Teen Dacara Thompson
Dacara Thompson, a 19-year-old, was reported missing after leaving her home to get gas.
Her car was found abandoned, but her phone and key fob were missing.
Sadly, her body was later found in Anne Arundel County.
A man named Hugo Hernandez-Mendez has been arrested and charged with her murder.
He was seen in surveillance footage with Thompson.
Hernandez-Mendez is in the US illegally and had a prior DUI arrest.
Thompson was a recent high school graduate and volunteered in her community.
The authorities are working to find out more details about what happened.
Dacara Thompson, 19, was reported missing on August 22.
Thompson's body was found in Anne Arundel County.
Hugo Hernandez-Mendez has been charged with first- and second-degree murder.
Hernandez-Mendez was arrested on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.
Hernandez-Mendez is in the US illegally and had a prior DUI arrest.
- Who
- Hugo Hernandez-Mendez and Dacara Thompson
- What
- Hernandez-Mendez has been charged with the murder of Thompson
- When
- Thompson was last seen August 22. Hernandez-Mendez arrested on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway
- Where
- Thompson's body found in Anne Arundel County; killing believed to have occurred in Bowie; Hernandez-Mendez arrested on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway
- Why
- Police investigation ongoing; the exact cause of death is pending from the medical examiner.
- Victim
- Dacara Thompson, 19
- Suspect
- Hugo Hernandez-Mendez
- Charges
- First- and second-degree murder
- Last Seen
- August 22, leaving father's home
- Body Found
- Anne Arundel County
- Vehicle
- Black SUV
- Immigration Status
- Hernandez-Mendez living in US illegally