September 5, 2025 • 7 mins
19-year-old Dacara Thompson, who went missing two weeks ago, has been confirmed dead, and a man has been charged with her murder, according to authorities in an update released on Friday.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Crime Alard hourly update breaking crime news Now. I'm Nicole Pardon.
A nineteen year old woman from Prince Georgia's County, Dakara Thompson,
who went missing two weeks ago, has been confirmed dead
and a man has been charged with her murder. According
to authorities. In an update released on Friday.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
On September fifth, detectives from the Prince George's County Police
Department's Homicide Division developed probable cause to present charges for
the murder of Dakara Thompson. This morning, criminal charges were
issued for first degree and second degree murder. The facts
of the case. Nineteen year old Dakara Thompson was last
(00:40):
seen on August to twenty second. She was reported missing
the very next day, on August to twenty first, Her
family located the vehicle in the area of Jasmine Terrace
in Hyattsville, Maryland. On August thirty first, what we believed
to have been Dakar's body was located by the Maryland
(01:01):
State Police Department in the area of eastbound Route fifty
at Route ninety seven.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
That was Prince George County Police Chief George Nader. According
to officials, Thompson left her father's residence in Lanham on
the night of August twenty two, stating she was going
to fill her car with gas. Her vehicle was discovered
two days later, abandoned with her purse still inside. For more,
here's Crime Onlines Dave Mack.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Dekara Thompson is the nineteen year old daughter of Carmen
and Daniel Thompson. The youngest of five siblings, Dakara is
living with her father for the summer at his home
in Lanta, Maryland. Around ten pm August twenty second, Dakara
tells her dad she's going to run out for a bit,
but we'll return shortly. Daniel calls Dakara at eleven fifty
but gets no response, so he texts her, telling her
(01:50):
he's going to bed. She immediately taxted back, I got
gas and I'm out. I should be back soon. I
love you too, good night.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Police confirm that Thompson's body was located on Sunday off
Route fifty in an Arndale County. Her family reported her
missing the day after she vanished, and had previously shared
their concerns with media outlets. In a frantic search for
their loved one, Hugo Hernandez Mendez faces charges of first
(02:19):
and second degree murder, As stated by the Prince George's
County Police Chief George Natar during that most recent press briefing,
Hernandez Mendez, who was living in the United States illegally,
had been previously arrested by US Park Police months prior,
but was released by federal authorities pending trial. Officials noted
(02:40):
currently Hernandez Mendez is in police custody without bond. While
police have questioned him, they reported limited cooperation from the man.
Surveillance footage captured Thompson approaching a black SUV early on
August twenty three, having a conversation with the driver, and
entering that car around three am. Police confirmed, for reasons
(03:02):
still under investigation, it appears that Dekara willingly entered the
vehicle operated by the suspect, said the chief. The SUVs
driver took Thompson to a residence on Kimbridge Drive, according
to police reports. Investigators searched the house on Thursday and
uncovered evidence suggesting that Thompson was murdered in Hernandez mendez bedroom.
(03:27):
Authorities revealed that Hernandez Mendez transported Thompson's body to the
site where it was ultimately discovered more than a week
after her death. Her body was found Hernandez Mendez had
access to the black SUV that Thompson was seen entering.
Hernandez Mendez was apprehended in Maryland along the Baltimore Washington Parkway,
(03:48):
as sources familiar with the investigation informed media outlets, the
cause of Thompson's death remains undetermined, but the Office of
the Chief Medical Examiner is expected to classify it as
a homicide. The investigation is ongoing, with police looking into
whether Thompson and Hernandez Mendez had any prior acquaintance before
(04:08):
her death. It is noted that Hernandez Mendez was living
illegally in the United States, and Chief Nator mentioned that
police were aware of at least one prior arrest of
the man. In April, US park Police arrested him for
driving under the influence, after which federal authorities released him
pending a trial. On Thursday, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(04:32):
issued a detainer for Hernandez Mendez. When questioned about the
relevance of his immigration status, the state's attorney, Asha brave
Boy remarked, the US government has made the status of
individuals significant this individual was in their custody and they
chose to release him. Hernandez Mendez is scheduled to appear
(04:52):
in court on Monday afternoon for an in depth look
into the tragic case of Dekara Thompson. T An into
Crime Stories with Nancy Grace tonight by downloading your favorite
podcasting app or watching Crime Stories on Nancy Grace's YouTube
channel or Crime and Justice News after this The US
(05:16):
Attorney for the District of Columbia, Janine Piro, has made
an announcement that two teenagers were arrested and will be
charged with first degree murder in connection with the death
of a congressional intern earlier this summer. Eric Jaquim, twenty one,
an intern in the office of Representative ron Estes, was
(05:36):
fatally shot on June thirty when caught in the crossfire
of a drive by shooting while he walked down the
street in Northwest Washington. Judge Piro called Joquim an innocent
bystander who was caught in an act of violence that
was not meant for him. She said that two seventeen
year olds will be charged as adults with first degree
(05:58):
murder charges while armed, and that additional charges will be
sought before a grand jury. A third suspect is also
being held. The killing underscores why we need authorities to
prosecute these younger kids, Judge Piro said, because they're not kids,
they're criminals. The case is being prosecuted locally, the judge continued,
meaning the death penalty is not on the table. President
(06:21):
Trump has floated the idea of reinstating the death penalty
in DC under murder cases as part of his takeover
of law enforcement in the district. US Attorney General Pam
Bondi wrote on social media. If convicted, the suspected killers
will face severe justice. Police said jo Kim was shot
after multiple suspects got out of a car near the
(06:43):
Walter Washington Convention Center and opened fire on a group
of people. Jo Kim and two other victims were struck.
A young woman and a sixteen year old boy were
transported to nearby hospitals. The other victims suffered non life
threatening injuries. Joa Qkim died the next day. The University
of Massachusetts senior had only worked on Capitol Hill for
(07:06):
a month. He was studying finance and political science. For
the latest Crime Injustice news follow Crime Alert Hourly update
on your favorite podcasting app with this crime alert. I'm
Nicol Harton
Crime Alard hourly update breaking crime news Now. I'm Nicole Pardon.
A nineteen year old woman from Prince Georgia's County, Dakara Thompson,
who went missing two weeks ago, has been confirmed dead
and a man has been charged with her murder. According
to authorities. In an update released on Friday.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
On September fifth, detectives from the Prince George's County Police
Department's Homicide Division developed probable cause to present charges for
the murder of Dakara Thompson. This morning, criminal charges were
issued for first degree and second degree murder. The facts
of the case. Nineteen year old Dakara Thompson was last
(00:40):
seen on August to twenty second. She was reported missing
the very next day, on August to twenty first, Her
family located the vehicle in the area of Jasmine Terrace
in Hyattsville, Maryland. On August thirty first, what we believed
to have been Dakar's body was located by the Maryland
(01:01):
State Police Department in the area of eastbound Route fifty
at Route ninety seven.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
That was Prince George County Police Chief George Nader. According
to officials, Thompson left her father's residence in Lanham on
the night of August twenty two, stating she was going
to fill her car with gas. Her vehicle was discovered
two days later, abandoned with her purse still inside. For more,
here's Crime Onlines Dave Mack.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Dekara Thompson is the nineteen year old daughter of Carmen
and Daniel Thompson. The youngest of five siblings, Dakara is
living with her father for the summer at his home
in Lanta, Maryland. Around ten pm August twenty second, Dakara
tells her dad she's going to run out for a bit,
but we'll return shortly. Daniel calls Dakara at eleven fifty
but gets no response, so he texts her, telling her
(01:50):
he's going to bed. She immediately taxted back, I got
gas and I'm out. I should be back soon. I
love you too, good night.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Police confirm that Thompson's body was located on Sunday off
Route fifty in an Arndale County. Her family reported her
missing the day after she vanished, and had previously shared
their concerns with media outlets. In a frantic search for
their loved one, Hugo Hernandez Mendez faces charges of first
(02:19):
and second degree murder, As stated by the Prince George's
County Police Chief George Natar during that most recent press briefing,
Hernandez Mendez, who was living in the United States illegally,
had been previously arrested by US Park Police months prior,
but was released by federal authorities pending trial. Officials noted
(02:40):
currently Hernandez Mendez is in police custody without bond. While
police have questioned him, they reported limited cooperation from the man.
Surveillance footage captured Thompson approaching a black SUV early on
August twenty three, having a conversation with the driver, and
entering that car around three am. Police confirmed, for reasons
(03:02):
still under investigation, it appears that Dekara willingly entered the
vehicle operated by the suspect, said the chief. The SUVs
driver took Thompson to a residence on Kimbridge Drive, according
to police reports. Investigators searched the house on Thursday and
uncovered evidence suggesting that Thompson was murdered in Hernandez mendez bedroom.
(03:27):
Authorities revealed that Hernandez Mendez transported Thompson's body to the
site where it was ultimately discovered more than a week
after her death. Her body was found Hernandez Mendez had
access to the black SUV that Thompson was seen entering.
Hernandez Mendez was apprehended in Maryland along the Baltimore Washington Parkway,
(03:48):
as sources familiar with the investigation informed media outlets, the
cause of Thompson's death remains undetermined, but the Office of
the Chief Medical Examiner is expected to classify it as
a homicide. The investigation is ongoing, with police looking into
whether Thompson and Hernandez Mendez had any prior acquaintance before
(04:08):
her death. It is noted that Hernandez Mendez was living
illegally in the United States, and Chief Nator mentioned that
police were aware of at least one prior arrest of
the man. In April, US park Police arrested him for
driving under the influence, after which federal authorities released him
pending a trial. On Thursday, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(04:32):
issued a detainer for Hernandez Mendez. When questioned about the
relevance of his immigration status, the state's attorney, Asha brave
Boy remarked, the US government has made the status of
individuals significant this individual was in their custody and they
chose to release him. Hernandez Mendez is scheduled to appear
(04:52):
in court on Monday afternoon for an in depth look
into the tragic case of Dekara Thompson. T An into
Crime Stories with Nancy Grace tonight by downloading your favorite
podcasting app or watching Crime Stories on Nancy Grace's YouTube
channel or Crime and Justice News after this The US
(05:16):
Attorney for the District of Columbia, Janine Piro, has made
an announcement that two teenagers were arrested and will be
charged with first degree murder in connection with the death
of a congressional intern earlier this summer. Eric Jaquim, twenty one,
an intern in the office of Representative ron Estes, was
(05:36):
fatally shot on June thirty when caught in the crossfire
of a drive by shooting while he walked down the
street in Northwest Washington. Judge Piro called Joquim an innocent
bystander who was caught in an act of violence that
was not meant for him. She said that two seventeen
year olds will be charged as adults with first degree
(05:58):
murder charges while armed, and that additional charges will be
sought before a grand jury. A third suspect is also
being held. The killing underscores why we need authorities to
prosecute these younger kids, Judge Piro said, because they're not kids,
they're criminals. The case is being prosecuted locally, the judge continued,
meaning the death penalty is not on the table. President
(06:21):
Trump has floated the idea of reinstating the death penalty
in DC under murder cases as part of his takeover
of law enforcement in the district. US Attorney General Pam
Bondi wrote on social media. If convicted, the suspected killers
will face severe justice. Police said jo Kim was shot
after multiple suspects got out of a car near the
(06:43):
Walter Washington Convention Center and opened fire on a group
of people. Jo Kim and two other victims were struck.
A young woman and a sixteen year old boy were
transported to nearby hospitals. The other victims suffered non life
threatening injuries. Joa Qkim died the next day. The University
of Massachusetts senior had only worked on Capitol Hill for
(07:06):
a month. He was studying finance and political science. For
the latest Crime Injustice news follow Crime Alert Hourly update
on your favorite podcasting app with this crime alert. I'm
Nicol Harton
Host
Nancy Grace
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