(Friday, August 5, 2025) – Prince George’s County police have charged a Bowie man in the death of 19-year-old Decara Thompson. While police would not provide details of the manner of her death, authorities allege 35-year-old Hugo Hernandez-Mendez killed Thompson inside his Bowie home. Authorities say he is in the United States illegally.

Hernandez-Mendez has been charged with first and second degree murder. “Incidents like this affect our entire community,” said Prince George’s County Police Chief George Nader during a press conference Friday morning. According to police, detectives found surveillance video showing Thompson approaching a black SUV in the early morning hours of August 23rd. Police said after speaking to the driver, Thompson was seen getting inside the vehicle. Authorities believe the suspect then took her to his home in the 12000 block of Cambridge Drive in Bowie.

Thompson’s body was found in Anne Arundel County off Route 50 on Sunday as Maryland State police went to the area to investigate a report of a disabled vehicle. Police say that vehicle is not connected to the case. The teen’s body was located in a grassy area.

Police conducted a search of Hernandez-Mendez home yesterday and say they found evidence that Thompson was murdered inside a bedroom in the home. Detectives are still working to determine whether Thompson and the suspect knew each other prior to her reported disappearance on August 23rd.

The suspect is being held without bond by the Department of Corrections. Asked whether Hernandez-Mendez had any prior criminal charges, the Chief said he had been detained by U.S. Park Police in April on DUI charges. But was released pending trial.