FULL VIDEO: Hugo Hernandez-Mendez arrested, charged with murder of Dacara Thompson

Good morning, and thank you all for being here. My name is Brian Fiser, and I’m the Manager of the Media Relations Division for the Prince George’s County Police Department. We appreciate your attendance this morning. Speaking today will be Prince George’s County Police Chief George Nader, County Executive Aisha Braveboy, Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Roland L. Butler Jr., Bowie Police Chief Dwayne A. Preston, and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson. I’d also like to recognize Prince George’s County DCAO, Melvin Pal. Because this investigation remains very active, we will only be able to take a few limited questions after the presentation.

Police Chief George Nader began by thanking the media for their sensitivity in reporting this case. On September 5th, the Prince George’s County Police Homicide Division developed probable cause to issue charges in the murder of 19-year-old Dara Thompson. She was last seen on August 22nd and was reported missing the following day. On August 31st, what is believed to be her body was located by Maryland State Police near Route 50 at Route 97. Investigators believe Dara voluntarily entered a vehicle around 3:00 a.m. on August 23rd in Hyattsville, Maryland, which was driven by 35-year-old Hugo Rene Hernandez-Mendez from Bowie, Maryland.

Through video surveillance and other investigative methods, police tracked the suspect’s vehicle to an address on Kimber Ridge Drive in Bowie. On September 4th, several search warrants were executed, and based on the findings, Hernandez-Mendez was taken into custody and charged with first- and second-degree murder. It is believed Dara was killed in his bedroom at that residence, and her body was later transported and left at the location where it was found. Currently, no additional suspects are being sought, but the investigation remains ongoing. Chief Nader thanked all involved law enforcement agencies and government officials, including Maryland State Police, Bowie Police, DCAO Melvin Pal, and County Executive Aisha Braveboy, for their support.

County Executive Braveboy then addressed the community, thanking residents for rallying behind Dara’s family during the search. She shared Dara’s background, noting she was a recent graduate of St. Charles High School and had moved to Prince George’s County to live with her father while working for a local nonprofit under a public service program sponsored by Governor Wes Moore. Braveboy emphasized that Dara was a young woman who dedicated her life to serving others, and now the community must stand with her family to ensure justice is served.

Superintendent Colonel Roland Butler of the Maryland State Police detailed the discovery of Dara’s body. On August 31st, around 5:00 p.m., troopers were dispatched to a report of a disabled vehicle on Route 50. While the vehicle turned out to be unrelated, they found an unresponsive female in a nearby grassy area. Maryland State Police began processing the scene and collaborated with Prince George’s County Police from that point onward. He reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to the investigation.

Bowie Police Chief Dwayne Preston also expressed condolences to Dara’s family and reaffirmed his department’s continued cooperation with all involved agencies. He said it is their hope that the justice system will bring accountability.

State’s Attorney Tara Jackson then outlined the legal process. Hernandez-Mendez has been charged and held without bond after appearing before a commissioner. A bond hearing is expected soon. Her office will review all evidence thoroughly before deciding whether to seek an indictment and on what charges. Jackson reminded the public that the accused is entitled to due process under the law and affirmed her office’s dedication to transparency and justice.

In the final part of the press conference, Chief Nader and others answered several media questions. He confirmed that the murder occurred in the suspect’s bedroom and that Dara was not moving around the home. When asked about the suspect’s criminal background, Nader said there were no known violent offenses but mentioned a prior DUI arrest by U.S. Park Police in April, for which an ICE detainer had not initially been issued. A detainer was reportedly issued after this most recent arrest.

When asked whether Dara’s case was publicly broadcast early in the investigation, Chief Nader acknowledged that while a flyer was not released by police right away, the family and community played a large role in spreading awareness, and the case was treated as a critical missing person investigation from the start. Tips from the public were helpful, and law enforcement canvassed the area and reviewed video evidence.

Lastly, Chief Nader confirmed that the body was identified through a meeting with the family and that the suspect was interviewed but only gave limited cooperation. He declined to share the manner of death due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.