PGPD Arrests Suspect in Murder of Dacara Thompson

 

Hugo Hernandez-Mendez

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit identified and arrested the man now charged with the murder of 19-year-old Dacara Thompson of Lanham. He is 35-year-old Hugo Hernandez-Mendez of Bowie.

 

On August 23, 2025, Ms. Thompson’s family reported her missing to the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD). The PGPD’s Missing Persons Unit opened an investigation into her whereabouts. On August 31, 2025, Maryland State Police (MSP) opened a death investigation after a female’s body was located in a grassy area off of Route 50 in Anne Arundel County. Based on a possible connection to the PGPD’s missing persons investigation, PGPD began working jointly with MSP. The body has since been identified as Ms. Thompson.

 

PGPD Homicide Unit detectives were able to locate additional surveillance video which showed Ms. Thompson approach a black SUV in the early morning hours of August 23, 2025. After speaking to the driver, Ms. Thompson is seen entering the SUV. The driver then drove to a home in the 12000 block of Kembridge Drive in Bowie. Based on this evidence, detectives applied for and obtained a search warrant for that home on September 4, 2025. Evidence was located suggesting Ms. Thompson had been murdered in a bedroom in the residence. Based on the totality of the evidence of the investigation, detectives arrested and charged Hernandez-Mendez with her murder. The suspect has access to the black SUV and lives in the bedroom where the murder occurred.

 

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 suspect is charged with first and second degree murder. He is in the custody of the Department of Corrections being held on a no-bond status.

 

If anyone has information regarding this case, they are asked to call the Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512.

 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device), or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous. Please refer to case number 25-0046894.

 

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Missing Woman Found

Update 9/4/25:  Ms. Desir has been safely located.  

Santia Desir

The Prince George’s County Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in finding a missing woman. She is identified as 37-year-old Santia Desir. She was last seen in the 5200 block of 59th Avenue in Riverdale on September 2, 2025, at approximately 1:00 pm.

Ms. Desir is a black female, 5'0" tall and 150 pounds. She was last seen wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Missing Persons Section at 301-772-8970.

PGPD Conducting Missing Person Investigation

The Prince George’s County Police Department continues its active investigation into the whereabouts of 19-year-old Dacara Thompson of Lanham. Her family reported her missing to PGPD on August 23, 2025.

 

The PGPD’s Missing Persons Unit opened an investigation into her whereabouts upon receiving the report. Multiple PGPD investigative units have been actively involved in the investigation.

 

“Anytime a member of our community goes missing, we take it seriously. We know behind every missing person report is a worried family desperate for answers. Our dedicated detectives of the Missing Persons Unit are committed to locating those who are missing and getting those questions answered,” said Interim Chief George Nader.

 

“Ms. Thompson is a valued member of the Prince George’s County community. Once we learned that Dacara was missing, I asked to be kept up to date on the investigation. The entire county has been praying for Dacara and her loving family. We intend to get her family and our community the answers they deserve,” said County Executive Aisha Braveboy.

 

The PGPD is aware that the Maryland State Police has opened a death investigation after a female’s body was located in a grassy area off Route 50 in Anne Arundel County on Sunday. The preliminary investigation has revealed a possible connection to the PGPD’s missing persons investigation. At this time, the identity of the deceased woman has not been confirmed. Investigators are also awaiting autopsy result from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine cause and manner of death. The PGPD is working jointly with Maryland State Police on this investigation.

 

We ask anyone with information relevant to the PGPD’s investigation surrounding Dacara to please contact us.

 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device), or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous. Please refer to case number 25-0046894.

 

If you would prefer to translate this release into another language, please find the translation window on the right side of this webpage. Please select your preferred language from the available list.

PGPD Investigating Fatal Collision in Beltsville

The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash that took place in Beltsville Monday night. The identity of the driver will be released once the family is notified.

On September 1, 2025, at approximately 9:55 pm, officers responded to the area of Powder Mill Road and Cherry Hill Road for a single-vehicle crash. Once on scene, officers located the victim in a vehicle suffering from trauma. The victim died at the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was traveling southbound on Powder Mill Road, when for reasons now under investigation, the vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit at 301-731-4422. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device), or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous. Please refer to case number 25-0048648.

If you would prefer to translate this release into another language, please find the translation window on the right side of this webpage. Please select your preferred language from the available list.