Missing Woman Confirmed Dead, Bowie Man Charged With Murder

LANHAM, MD — A 35-year-old Bowie man has been arrested and charged in the death of 19-year-old Dacara Thompson of Lanham, who was reported missing by her family Aug. 23.

Hugo Hernandez-Mendez has been charged with first- and second-degree murder in Thompson's death. Police said Thompson was killed in Hernandez-Mendez 's bedroom in a house in Bowie.

Thompson's cause of death has not yet been determined, but authorities said it is expected the death will be ruled a homicide by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Detectives are working to determine if the suspect and victim knew each other before Aug. 23.

Hernandez-Mendez is in the custody of the Department of Corrections, being held on a no-bond status.

Photos courtesy of the Prince George's Police Department

A body found in a grassy area off Route 50 near Annapolis shortly after 5 p.m. on Aug. 31 was confirmed as Thompson.

The Maryland State Police opened a death investigation after the body was found and worked with Prince George's County police, who said there appeared to be a "possible connection" between the woman found near Route 50 and Thompson.

The Prince George's County police department said Friday morning that the body found was Thompson.

On Aug. 22, Thompson left her dad's home to get gas. Speaking with CBS affiliate WUSA, Dacara's father said that after an hour had passed the night she went missing without her return, he called her, but she didn't pick up. By 11:50 p.m., he texted her to say he was going to bed and wanted to check on her.

He told WUSA she responded immediately and wrote, "I should be back soon. I love you too. Goodnight <3."

Police found her vehicle in Hyattsville the day after she was reported missing, PGPD Interim Chief George Nader said during a news conference Sept. 3. She was last seen in Langley Park and her car was found two days later parked across from the Chillum-Aldephi Volunteer Fire Station, reports said. Her wallet and house keys were in her vehicle.

Dacara's mother, Carmen Thompson, wrote in a GoFundMe that her daughter was last seen on surveillance footage parking her 2013 white Ford Edge SUV in Hyattsville on Aug. 23. She was seen walking toward Riggs Road, then vanished. All she had with her was her phone. but she hadn't called or texted family for a week, which was unlike her, Thompson wrote.

Detectives located more surveillance footage that showed Thompson approach a black SUV in the early morning hours of Aug. 23. After talking to the driver, Hernandez-Mendez, police said Thompson can be seen getting into the SUV. The driver then went to a home in the 12000 block of Kembridge Drive in Bowie, officials said Friday.

Based on this evidence, detectives applied for and obtained a search warrant for that home on Sept. 4. Evidence was found in the home suggesting that Thompson had been killed in a bedroom in the home, police announced.

"Based on the totality of the evidence of the investigation, detectives arrested and charged Hugo Hernandez-Mendez with her murder. The suspect has access to the black SUV and lives in the bedroom where the murder occurred," police said.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Friday described Thompson as a "bright light."

“Our entire state mourns the horrible loss of Dacara Thompson, who was taken from us by an act of senseless violence. Dawn and I join all Marylanders in praying for Dacara and her family in the wake of this tragedy. … Dacara raised her hand right out of high school to join our most recent cohort of Maryland Service Year Option members — patriotic Marylanders committed to public service. She yearned to be part of our mission to solve big problems with bold solutions through her passion for the arts. … We will use every tool at our disposal to ensure those responsible for this crime are held accountable and honor Dacara’s legacy of service through our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of all Marylanders," Moore said.

If anyone has information regarding this case, they are asked to call detectives at 301-516-2512, contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto a mobile device) or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Related: 'Possible Connection' Between Body Found And Missing Dacara Thompson