Earlier today the Prince George’s County police announced that 35 year old Hugo Hernandez-Mendez is facing charges of first and second degree murder in the death of missing woman Dacara Thompson.
19 Thompson was last seen in Lanham, Maryland on August 22, 2025. On August 31, 2025, her body was found in a grassy area off Route 50 in Anne Arundel County.
Detectives found surveillance video that showed Thompson approach a black SUV in the early morning hours of Aug 23, 2025. After speaking to the driver, Thompson is seen entering the SUV. The driver then drove to a home in the 12000 block of Kembridge Drive in Bowie.
That evidence led investigators to Hernandez-Mendez, who they say killed Thompson in his bedroom before dumping her body off Route 50.
The victim’s cause of death has not been determined. Based on initial findings and evidence gathering during this investigation, it is expected for the death to be ruled a homicide by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. This remains an active investigation. Detectives are working to determine whether the suspect and victim were known to each other prior to August 23, 2025.
The Disappearance of Dacara Thompson
Dacara is the youngest of five siblings, and her mother says she had dreams of going into the Air Force. She lives with her father in Hyattsville, Maryland.
On the night of August 22, 2025, Dacara Thompson left her father’s home in Lanham, telling him she was making a quick trip out to get gas for her car.
She was last seen exiting her 2013 white Ford Edge at the Shell gas station located in the Eastgate Shopping Center in Lanham, Maryland.
After she hadn’t returned home after an hour, her father called at 11:50 pm but got no response. He texted her telling her he was going to bed. She immediately texted back; “I got gas & I’m out. I should be back soon. I love you too. Goodnight <3”.
Dacara never returned home and hasn’t been heard from since.
Investigation
At 1:30 am on August 23, 2025, surveillance footage shows what is likely Dacara parking her car in the 1800 block of Jasmine Terrace in Hyattsville. She was last seen walking down the sidewalk towards Riggs Road.
On the morning of August 23, 2025, Dacara’s mother tracked her iPhone to see it’s last known location. She called Dacara’s father to check out the scene, which led to him finding her vehicle parked the wrong way in front of a fire hydrant, across from the Chillum-Aldephi Volunteer Fire Station.
The vehicle was found about 9 miles away from her father’s home in Lanham, where she was staying for the summer.
Her purse, which contained $60 in cash, her ID, house keys, and credit cards, were still inside the vehicle, but her phone and key fob were gone. Her father immediately called the police.
Following the discovery of her vehicle, Dacara’s mother spent 48 hours in the location, hoping her daughter would return.
There has been no activity on Dacara’s bank account, phone, or social media since she went missing. Her family says it’s uncharacteristic of her to be out of contact with them for this long.
On August 31, 2025, a body was found in a grassy area off Route 50 in Anne Arundel County. Initial reports state the body has similar characteristics to Dacara.
Investigators are awaiting autopsy results from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the identity, cause, and manner of death.
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