Petition Demands Investigation Into Bay Area Police Department After Teen’s Death

MORGAN HILL, CA — A petition has received nearly 7,000 signatures calling for an investigation into the Morgan Hill Police Department, claiming the death of a teen could’ve been prevented.

On June 30, Marissa DiNapoli, 18, was reported missing to the Morgan Hill Police Department, police said. Her family last received text messages from DiNapoli’s phone number on June 28 at 9:16 p.m., which said she planned to stay with a friend for the evening and would return home the following day.

Detectives said DiNapoli was last seen with Martin Mendoza, her ex-boyfriend, leaving a home on Trail drive, which is just outside the Morgan Hill city limits, and DiNapoli’s car was found in that same area.

DiNapoli’s body was found July 2 by family members and friends at Anderson Lake County Park in Morgan Hill, police said.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved Marissa, and at this time, our family kindly asks for privacy as we grieve and navigate this difficult journey. We appreciate the love and support from those who have reached out. In honoring Marissa’s memory, we kindly ask that no GoFundMe accounts or donation pages be created. If you wish to show support, please do so through your prayers, kind words, and cherished memories. Thank you for understanding and respecting our wishes during this deeply personal time,” read a statement from DiNapoli’s family.

Mendoza was arrested Sunday at the Mexico border and was arraigned in Santa Clara County Court Tuesday on charges of first-degree murder, prosecutors said.

According to court documents, DiNapoli was stabbed in the back five times.

Mendoza was not present in the courtroom and did not enter a plea. His plea hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9.

A petition on change.org has received 6,713 signatures asking for the California Department of Justice, Santa Clara County officials and the City of Morgan Hill to do an independent investigation and a formal audit of the Morgan Hill Police Department following their handling of the case.

The petition claims DiNapoli’s sister provided MHPD officers with Mendoza’s exact location the day after DiNapoli was reported missing and that officers confronted Mendoza in person but did not arrest or detain him.

The petition also alleged Mendoza was apprehended by accident after he attempted to the U.S. Mexico border a week after DiNapoli’s death.

The Morgan Hill Police Department declined to comment on the claims in the petition.