Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend, Victim's Family Holds Fundraiser

MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, MD — A 22-year-old man is charged with murder in the death of his 18-year-old girlfriend, Dania Cruz-Mejia, of Montgomery Village, Montgomery County Police said. Her family has started an online fundraiser to help bury Cruz-Mejia in her native El Salvador, see details below.

Gerber Luis Sanchez Centeno, no hometown given, was arrested in connection with the death of Cruz-Mejia in the 18600 block of Calypso Place in Montgomery Village. In a news release, police said Cruz-Mejia’s family members entered her residence Sept. 18 after not knowing her whereabouts and found her unconscious.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel attempted life-saving measures on Cruz-Mejia, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore will perform an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

On Sept. 19, detectives obtained an arrest warrant against Sanchez Centeno, charging him with first-degree murder.

The next day, detectives arrested Sanchez Centeno in Prince George’s County. He was taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he is being held without bond.

GoFundMe For Funeral Costs

Maria Cruz organized a fundraiser on the GoFundMe site for the family, and said the proceeds will pay for a funeral service and the cost to bury Cruz Mejia in El Salvador. She arrived in the United States five months ago.

"She was a happy person, a daydreamer and has now left a huge void in our hearts," Cruz wrote on the site. … We are asking for any help so that we can hold a funeral service and send her remains to El Salvador. Her mother is patiently waiting to say her final goodbyes to her adored baby."