Police: Man arrested in death of missing woman, body found near dumpster in Wheaton

WHEATON, Md. -
Investigators have arrested a man after the body of a missing woman was found near a dumpster in Wheaton Friday.

Montgomery County police say 47-year-old Elmer Campos-Martinez, from Rockville, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Dania Mendez de Guerra.

Police say the pair worked together at a KFC restaurant and had been involved in a relationship. They say Campos-Martinez admitted to beating Mendez de Guerra when she tried to break up with him early Monday morning.

The victim's body was discovered Friday afternoon near two dumpsters on University Blvd. West near Georgia Avenue. The location is just a few blocks from the KFC and not far from Mendez de Guerra's home.

Police say after the body was discovered Friday afternoon, Campos-Martinez admitted to investigators that he punched Mendez de Guerra three times and pushed her to the ground where she hit her head.

Police say that Campos-Martinez told them that she appeared unresponsive and that he took her purse and cell phone, and then fled the area in a taxi.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the victim's death a homicide by multiple blunt force trauma and asphyxia.

According to family, Mendez de Guerra is married and moved to the U.S. from El Salvador about nine months ago to be with her husband.

Her sister-in-law told FOX 5 that the couple has a 4-year-old son.

Family has started a GoFundMe page to raise money so she can be buried in El Salvador:

Police say Campos-Martinez remains in jail without bond charged.