Mother of Dacara Thompson says she wants 'justice served' in daughter's murder
Mother of Dacara Thompson speaks out on daughter's death
Watch the mother of Dacara Thompson speak out on her daughter's death.
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. - The family of 19-year-old Dacara Thompson spoke to the press Monday afternoon following a court appearance of suspect Hugo Hernandez-Mendez.
35-year-old Mendez was charged Friday with first- and second-degree murder charges in Thompson's death. He is being held without bail.
Carmen Thompson, Dacara's mother, told reporters on Monday that Dacara was a "good girl."
"Whe was kind of an outgoing, soft-spoken, kind young lady. She was a free spirit," said Thompson. "There's been a lot of people disparaging her character on social media and things as such. Please don't believe everything you see. Don't believe anything you hear. Out of respect for the family and us grieving, please. Approach everything with grace. We would appreciate that."
Dacara Thompson's alleged killer denied bond again
The man accused of killing 19-year-old Dacara Thompson will remain behind bars after appearing in court Monday. Thompson was reported missing on August 23 and wasn?t found until nearly two weeks later, when her body was discovered in Anne Arundel County.
Hugo Hernandez-Mendez charged with murder
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say Hernandez-Mendez is living in the country illegally. Officials say Hernandez-Mendez had previously been arrested by U.S. Park Police for DUI but was released. A federal detainer has been lodged against him.
"I'm very disappointed finding that out now. Because we may not be here today if they did what they were supposed to do," said Thompson. "I just want justice served for my daughter."
The backstory:
Authorities say Dacara Thompson was killed in a Bowie home and her body was later discarded off a Route 50 bridge, roughly seven miles away.
According to court documents, Thompson was seen on video early on August 23 approaching the driver’s side of his black GMC Yukon Denali. She appeared to speak with the driver briefly before getting into the front passenger seat. The SUV was later tracked to his Kembridge Drive residence in Bowie.
Police have not said why they think Thompson approached the vehicle or what the motive may have been. Her father told investigators she had texted that she was going to get gas. The family reported her missing the next day.