HYATTSVILLE, Md. — Family and friends will soon gather to honor the life of DaCara Thompson, a 19-year-old Prince George’s County woman whose disappearance and tragic death shook the Hyattsville community and beyond.
Services Scheduled
Funeral arrangements have been set for Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the Kettering Baptist Church Legacy Center, located at 6909 Crain Highway in Upper Marlboro. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11 a.m.
The services are expected to draw a large turnout from community members who followed the search for Thompson and offered support to her family in the weeks following her disappearance.
A Tragic Turn
Thompson was last seen in Hyattsville before her case drew widespread attention across the region. The search ended in heartbreak when a body discovered in Anne Arundel County was confirmed to be hers.
Investigators believe Thompson was killed in the early morning hours of August 23 inside a home in Bowie. Her body was later found discarded along Route 50, between Route 424 and Route 97, after allegedly being thrown over a bridge.
Arrest in the Case
Police arrested Hugo Hernandez-Mendez, 35, of Bowie, in connection with Thompson’s death. He has been charged with first- and second-degree murder.
Authorities say Hernandez-Mendez is originally from Guatemala and was living in the United States illegally. Court documents indicate he admitted being at the Galaxy Night Club on University Boulevard in Hyattsville, near where Thompson was seen entering a black SUV believed to be his.
Hernandez-Mendez told police he was supposed to meet his ex-girlfriend at the club but denied involvement in Thompson’s death and requested a lawyer.
Community Impact
Thompson’s death has left an indelible mark on Hyattsville and surrounding communities. For weeks, neighbors and volunteers joined in search efforts, shared her photo, and prayed for her safe return. News of her death devastated many who had hoped for a different outcome.
Local leaders and advocates have emphasized the importance of supporting Thompson’s family and addressing community safety concerns.
Remembering DaCara
As the funeral approaches, those who knew Thompson are remembering her as a vibrant young woman whose life ended far too soon. Family members have asked for continued prayers and support as they prepare to lay her to rest.
The public is invited to attend both the visitation and funeral service to honor Thompson’s memory and to stand in solidarity with her grieving loved ones.
Leave a Reply