S9:E6: The Senseless Murder of Dacara Thompson (19) "Dacara's Law"

Prince George’s County, Maryland—On the night of August 22, 2025, 19-year-old Dacara Thompson left her father's home to get gas for her car — and never came back. 

Within hours, her family knew something was terribly wrong. 

Her phone went silent. Calls went unanswered. 

After Dacara didn’t return home, her family reported her missing the next day.

Surveillance footage later showed her approaching and getting into an SUV in the early morning hours after she left home.

Days later, the search for Dacara ended in tragedy.

This episode examines how missing persons delays disproportionately impact young women and marginalized communities, raising uncomfortable questions about whose disappearances are treated as emergencies—and whose are not. This episode also explores what investigators uncovered about the suspect, and the evidence prosecutors say connects him to the crime. 

Listen to Season 9: Episode 6: To find out how this tragic case unfolds. 

Rest in Peace - Dacara Thompson and our condolences to her family, friends, and community. 🕊️🙏

Content Disclaimer: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statutes that might otherwise be infringing. Trailers, clips, and/or pictures are used for review/commentary purposes under the rights of U.S. Code Title 17 § 107 - Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair Use

Transcript

SPEAKER_05 0:00

This podcast contains graphic details which may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. This case starts off with just a quick trip to the gas station, but it ended in a murder investigation. On the night of August 22nd, 2025, 19-year-old Dakara Thompson left her father's home. She promised her dad that she would be coming right back, that she was just going out to get gas. But before midnight, Dakara sent her father one final text message that read, I should be back soon. I love you too. Good night. But by morning, Dakara Thompson had vanished, missing for days. Her abandoned car found several days later. But nine days after she went missing, her body was found beneath a bridge along the South River. Dakara Thompson was a recent high school graduate and her life had been tragically cut short. Dakara had been planning to join the Air Force and was known for her close family ties, her commitment to community service, and for being a vibrant and positive presence. However, in the early morning hours of August 23rd, an incident occurred inside a stranger's closed bedroom door. A horrifying moment that prosecutors allege led to her tragic death. What happened between that final text message that Dakara sent to her father and the discovery of her body days later along the riverbank? And how did this case spark new legislation in her namesake? Before we get into how Edakara's life ended, we must first honor how she lived. Edakara was the youngest of five siblings, and being the baby of the family placed her in a position of constant love, protection, but also adoration. This shaped her into someone who was observant but very emotionally aware. Edakara remained closely connected to her parents and her siblings throughout her young life. Family gatherings such as picnics and barbecues and birthday parties and game nights were a constant presence in her childhood. Edkara's relatives described her as deeply rooted in her family, someone who valued loyalty, respect, and time spent together more than anything. Dakara was defined by a gentle yet steady personality. Her quiet determination shone through her calm and soft-spoken demeanor. She embraced a confident, feminine style where her favorite color was pink. Dakara loved glitter and all things girly. And she found joy in life's simple pleasures. Watching scary movies, spending long afternoons with her cousins, and relaxing at home with her parents. Her favorite ritual was getting her nails done. A small but meaningful act of self-care that made her feel put together and proud. Dakara did not require extravagant experiences to be fulfilled. The comfort of family and the closeness of friends was enough for her. By 2025, Dakara was living with her father in Maryland, while her mother remained actively involved in her daily life. Despite the realities of adulthood that were beginning to take shape in her life, her bond with both of her parents remained strong. Back in 2024, Dakara graduated from St. Charles High School in Waldolph, Maryland. And this marked an important milestone. Those who watched her grow up, they described her as being a mature and beyond her years. Someone who thought carefully about her decisions, but also understood the value of discipline and hard work. After high school, Dakara committed herself to growth and service. She completed a year-long internship with the Maryland Service Year Option Program, which is a program that works alongside nonprofit organizations, and those organizations contribute to community-based projects. Her mentors and colleagues in this program described her as dependable, creative, and eager to help wherever she was needed. Dakara brought a calm presence into professional spaces, earning respect through consistency and effort. Maryland Governor Westmore later referred to her as a bright light and a young woman whose dedication and spirit made an impact on those around her. Dakara had clear ambition. She spoke about becoming an entrepreneur, and she considered a path in technology. She was actively working towards her goal of joining the Air Force. Outside of her responsibilities, she enjoyed roller skating with her father, sketching during quiet moments, and listening to music alone in her bedroom. Her life appeared more stable and promising. She had it all mapped out, graduated from high school, completed her internship, and further mapping out the next chapter of her life. Everything seemed aligned for Dakara. That is until August 22nd, 2025, when she failed to return home from the gas station trip. This is where the trajectory of Dakara story changed without warning. On the evening of August 22nd, 2025, Dakara Thompson left her father's home, telling him that she was going to get gas and would return home shortly. Now this was a routine errand, nothing out of the ordinary. The only thing that was unusual was the time that she ran into this errand. Now hours passed without concern at first. When an hour turned into several hours, and she still had not come home, her father began calling her phone. At 11 50 p.m., her father sent her a final text before going to bed, letting her know that he wanted to check on her. Dakara responded almost immediately. And her text read, I should be back soon. I love you too. Good night. This would be the last message her family would ever receive from her. When Dakara did not return home and stopped responding to calls and messages, her father reported her missing the very next day. For those who knew her, the silence was deafening. Dakara was always consistent in her communication and she stayed closely connected to her family. Going hours without responding was unusual. Going days without contact was unthinkable. The search was on for a Dakara Thompson. But how is it that a young nineteen-year-old woman sent one final text saying that she would be back home from putting gas in her car and she vanished? The community, her family were desperately searching for Dakar Thompson. Her mother worried sick. Her father stricken with panic. The community searched fields, vacant homes, looking for any trace of Dakara Thompson. They pleaded for their baby girl to come back home. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_17 8:47

That's where we find her Liana Golden tonight. Spoke with uh Dakara's family. Liana Phillipson, what can you tell us?

SPEAKER_11 8:54

Yeah, this family is absolutely desperate, as you can imagine. I mean, they've been spreading these flyers here all across town. 19-year-old Dakara Thompson. Her face is right there on it. They're here in Langley Park, going door to door, hoping somebody will have some answers about her disappearance.

SPEAKER_08 9:12

Canvas the area as well. Okay? All right, be careful, please. Have you seen Dakara? Have you guys seen this young lady? Her car was found right over here.

SPEAKER_11 9:21

It's been an all-hands-on-deck effort in Prince George's County for the past nine days to locate 19-year-old Dakara Thompson. I'm missing my girl. I need you back home. This is her mom Carmen praying alongside Thompson's grandma and other family members during a vigil Sunday evening for her baby girl, the youngest of five siblings.

SPEAKER_07 9:40

It wouldn't be like her not to respond to her parents or just disappear for days.

SPEAKER_11 9:46

Right now, Thompson's family thinks she was abducted. They believe she had only her phone and car keys on her when she went missing. We have not been able to contact her ever since. All her communication, everything was shut down. Friends, family, and even strangers banding together, holding on to hope Dakara is okay. If you are watching, baby girl, mom loves you so much. And Prince George's County police are not saying much on this case as it is an active investigation that the Thompson family says that they are working closely together on this. Now, if you'd like to support the Thompson family in their search for Dakara, I've linked that information for you on our website, WJLA.com. Reporting live in Prince George's County tonight. I'm Leana Golden, seven news.

SPEAKER_17 10:30

Let's hope that that family gets some answers.

SPEAKER_05 10:33

As the days turn into a week, there were no calls, no text messages, and no digital trace that could explain where Dakara had gone. For a young woman who prioritized family and maintained regular contact, the silence deepened the fear. What began as a simple trip to get gas had turned into a disappearance with no clear explanation and no sign of Dakara Thompson. Two days later, Dakara Thompson's 2013 White Ford Edge was found parked across the street from a volunteer fire station. Now the car was parked in the opposite direction on the road. Inside the vehicle was Dakara's wallet, a purse, and her house keys. Items she would have never left behind. The only thing missing was her phone. This is the moment that fear turned into sheer panic. Where was Dakara Thompson? This set a level of panic in her family because this was so unusual for their daughter. And that fear would be a horrible reality to come. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_19 11:56

Carmen Thompson had just walked through some brush when she noticed what appeared to be a metal trap door. It was chained shut, but there was just enough of a gap to peer down inside. Carmen had spent 10 days now searching for her daughter and thought the mill was a good place to look. So why why here? Why are you looking here?

SPEAKER_07 12:21

I'm exhausted of any resource, anything that I can think of. I noticed this yesterday when I rolled back to go to the location. I noticed it from my right view when I was riding by, and I made a note to come back and check here also this morning.

SPEAKER_19 12:36

Despite several hours of searching along the stream bed, Carmen and Daniel Thompson came up with nothing new.

SPEAKER_07 12:42

Just you know, I'll just see if I can find any clues, any clothes, any uh any indication of someone being here.

SPEAKER_19 12:50

Dakara Thompson left her father's Lanham home Friday night, August 22nd, telling her dad she was heading to purchase some gas for her car. The two communicated briefly that night with Dakara telling her dad she would be home soon. Dakara's father says he found her car parked right here in front of this fire hydrant, pointed in the wrong direction, and right across from the Chillam Adelphi volunteer fire station. Her mom told me today that Takara was a new driver, and to her it appeared that she had just gotten out of the car and was going to return very quickly. Takara's purse with credit cards and cash was still inside the vehicle, but her phone and key bob were gone. Her parents are still unsure, but think the person walking in this grainy video could be Dakara walking in that neighborhood at around 1 30 Saturday morning, the 23rd. Carmen and Daniel Thompson said the Prince George's county police are assisting in the search and asked that they not share certain details with the public. It's a mystery.

SPEAKER_05 14:07

On August 31st, 2025. The case took a devastating turn. Maryland State Police discovered a female body alongside the South River embankment in Annapolis. The body was found approximately 30 feet below a bridge. The female body was naked. Investigators identified distinctive tattoos and jewelry that match those worn by 19-year-old Dakara Thompson. What started out as a missing person's investigation has now tragically turned into a homicide investigation. Finding Dakara Thompson's body was not the outcome that her family nor the community wanted. This was absolutely heartbreaking for her family. And as a parent, you feel their pain knowing that your child will never come back home. But what was even more disturbing was the details of Dakara Thompson's disappearance. Court documents later reveal that on the night she disappeared, Dakara left her SUV at a meeting location in Hyattesville at that fire station. Surveillance footage captured a black GMC Yukon Denali that was driven by 35-year-old Juan Hernandez Mendez, who was a Guatemalian national living in the United States without legal status. Surveillance footage and cell phone data showed both vehicles traveling in the same direction before she exited her own vehicle. The two of them then drove to a residence where Hernandez Mendez had been staying with relatives. Marking this as the last digital trace of her movements. Records show that Mendez had prior legal issues. Back in May of 2022, he was arrested for driving under the influence and failure to maintain control of a vehicle. On April 25th, 2025, he was again arrested by US Park Police on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway for a suspected DUI. He was then released by federal authorities pending trial. Now investigators were examining how his path across Dakaris and what had happened in the hours between her final text message and the discovery of her body. On September 3rd, detectives returned to the residence to execute a search warrant where he had been staying with family members. Parked outside of the home was the same GMC Yukon Denali seen in the surveillance footage the night Dakara Thompson disappeared. So as officers prepared to conduct their search, Hernandez Mendez entered the SUV and drove away. And in the early morning hours of September 4th, police conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and they arrested Hernandez Mendez without incident. Residents in the community and on the same street where Mendez lived were absolutely shocked to learn that Mendez killed Dakara Thompson in their community and possibly in that house. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_10 18:17

In the days and weeks that have followed, the community has really rallied around her and her family in a search for answers and an investigation that ultimately led officers to this home in Bowie. Neighbors along Cambridge Drive in Bowie shaking up Friday.

SPEAKER_20 18:31

It really makes me think of you don't even know who your neighbors are.

SPEAKER_10 18:34

Learning they live just a few doors down from the alleged crime scene where Prince Georgia's County police said 35-year-old Hugo Hernandez Mendez murdered missing 19-year-old Dakar Thompson in his bedroom. William Hernandez says he lives a few doors down and talked to the suspect just days before his arrest.

SPEAKER_20 18:52

He seemed like normal. Um I just said to my hellos. Um asked him how his labor is, he said it was good.

SPEAKER_10 18:58

Investigators say back on August 23rd, around 3 a.m., Thompson got out of her car in Hydesville and got into Hernandez Mendez Black SUV nearby before he drove them to Bowie. It's not clear whether the two knew each other. Police say he later took her body to a grassy area along Route 50, about seven miles away, where she was found on August 31st. The community came together to search for her in the days following her disappearance, and today neighbors stopped by the scene. I'm really thinking that something would happen on my street, sharing their condolences and strong emotions surrounding the case. It's very unfortunate that we have to live in a society where predators are always lurking. Prince George's County Executive Aisha Brave Boy, speaking at a press conference Friday.

SPEAKER_06 19:41

Because he means so much to so many. And so, um, it is time that we're at this point where the search is over and justice begins.

SPEAKER_10 20:11

We also reached out to ICE Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials after hearing that he was potentially placed on an ICE detainer. We have not yet been able to confirm that, though, Prince George's County police were able to tell us that this morning. As for when we can expect to see the suspect in court, that is set for Monday at 1 15 p.m. Until then, he remains behind bars. In Bowie, I'm Randy Bass, DC News Now.

SPEAKER_05 20:33

When the individuals who lived inside the home with Mendez began to speak out publicly, one person who identified themselves as Mendez's cousin told reporters that Mendez struggled with alcohol and drugs. There was another resident that told local media that they recalled hearing him with someone in his bedroom at around 5 a.m. on August 23rd, which was consistent with the time that Dakara had disappeared. Court documents later stated that sexual activity was heard coming from the room, but it also sounded as if someone was being attacked. Hours later, the same resident noticed that the GMC Denali was gone from the driveway. But they also said that this was unusual because Amendez did not typically work on Saturdays. When investigators executed the search warrant at the home, they reported finding identification cards bearing Amendez's name inside a bedroom where there was suspected blood trace evidence. And according to court filings, there was a French manicure style fingernail that was recovered from the floor that was also consistent with the style fingernail that Dekara was wearing when her body was found. Hair was discovered in a trash bag that matched a wig that Dekara was wearing. In the surveillance footage. Inside the GMC Denali, there was a testing of what was described as possible blood evidence on the front passenger seat returned with a match to Idacara Thompson. The autopsy would later reveal that Idakara had suffered a skull and facial fracture. Essentially, she was beaten to death. Several individuals inside the home where Mendez was living were taken in for questioning. And that includes a male relative and a second family member. Mendez was the only one formally charged and was not released. The other family members were released without incident. The following morning, federal immigration agents returned to the residence and detained the husband of one of the women who had spoken publicly. She later stated that her husband had cooperated fully with the investigation and had no criminal history. She maintained that her husband had no involvement in the crime.

SPEAKER_01 23:59

Whatever justice can be given in this world, she deserves it. My heart goes out to her family. I can't even imagine. I have a daughter myself, and I can't even imagine the grief that they're going through right now.

SPEAKER_13 24:11

Police say they found bloodstains, women's lingerie, hair from a wig consistent with one Dakar Thompson wore, and a fingernail that matches one missing from Thompson's hand. An autopsy reveals she had skull and facial fractures.

SPEAKER_12 24:23

Yeah, this is just really sad. ICE officials tell us that Hernandez Mendez is in the country illegally. U.S. Park police arrested him in April on a DUI, but for some reason he was released.

SPEAKER_05 24:34

When the breaking news came out that Dakara Thompson's body had been found, Sheriff John Carr speaks to the public on the recovery of Dakara's body. Now he gives information on the suspect and he speaks about a horrible tragedy that should have never happened. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_14 24:56

Good morning. First, I'd like to thank members of the media for showing sensitivity during the reporting of this case. On September 5th, detectives from the Prince George's County Police Department's Homicide Division developed probable cause to present charges for the murder of Dakar Thompson. This morning, criminal charges were issued for first degree and second degree murder. The facts of the case. On August 23rd, in the area of University Boulevard in Hyattesville, Maryland, a short distance from her vehicle at approximately 3 a.m. For reasons still under investigation, it appears that the car willfully entered a vehicle, being driven by Hugo Renee Hernandez Mendez, 35-year-old male out of Bowie, Maryland. Through investigative techniques and video review, detectives were able to track the vehicle's movement to an address on Kimberridge Drive in Bowie, Maryland. On September 4th, several search warrants were obtained and executed pertaining to this case, which led detectives to obtain enough probable cause to take Hugo Renee Hernandez Mendez into custody and present him to the court commissioner for the murder of Descartes Thompson. We believe the murder occurred in the home on Cambridge Drive in Hernandez's bedroom. Her body was taken to the location that it was recovered at by Hernandez. At this time, there are no additional suspects. However, this investigation is ongoing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this time. Detectives from the Prince George's County Police Department's Miss Impersons unit who work jointly and tirelessly to determine the facts of this case. Because the pre-existing relationships between our agencies, we are where we are. There's still a lot of investigative work to be done in this case, and we're asking members of the community or anyone that they have information about this case to contact us at 1-866-411-TIPS. Throughout this case, members at the highest level of our law enforcement agencies were kept abreast of every development, and cooperative decisions were made jointly. I have no words to express my appreciation for the superintendent of the Maryland State Police, Colonel Butler, and Bowie's city police chief Dwayne Preston for their involvement. In addition to law enforcement involvement in this case, the highest level of our governments were kept abreast of this matter. This included daily briefings with Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Melvin Powell and County Executive Aisha Braveboy, both of who provided unwavering support for our teams who were conducting this investigation. Incidents like this affect our entire community.

SPEAKER_05 28:14

When Hernandez Mendez was taken into custody for questioning, he stated that he had been at the Galaxy Nightclub on the evening of August 22nd. Now this club is located directly across the street from the family dollar parking lot where DeCara Thompson was last seen getting into Mendez's SUV. Mendez asserted that his purpose for being there was to meet up with his ex-girlfriend. But he claimed that the meeting never happened. The detectives used surveillance footage coupled with cell phone data and witness statements to cross-reference and verify his statement, all of which was a complete lie. There was no footage of Hernandez Mendez inside that club. There was no footage showing that he had met up with his ex-girlfriend. There was no text communication to his ex-girlfriend. All lies to cover up the fact that he murdered this young girl. On September 5th, 2025, 35-year-old Hugo Hernandez Mendez was formally charged with first and second-degree murder and the death of 19-year-old Nicaragua. He was scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing days later. Now, during his initial court appearance, which was on September 8th, a judge ordered to be held without bond, citing the severity of the charges and the weight of the evidence presented by the prosecution. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_18 30:35

He appeared remotely in a prison jumpsuit from jail, and that's where he's going to remain for now. During court today, Hernandez Mendez's lawyer waived the bond hearing. That means they agree not to challenge his detention. But Judge Stewart went out of her way to emphasize that she would not order his release in any way, based on the current allegations. And that's because there's no set of conditions that would be reasonable or assure the safety of the community. Thompson's mother Carmen spoke in after the brief court hearing alongside Prince George's state's attorney, Tara Jackson. We asked Carmen if her family is prepared to relive the horrific details of her daughter's murder as the case continues for what could be months or years. That's a tough question.

SPEAKER_07 31:18

That's a tough question because we know it's going to be extremely hard. We didn't accept everybody pretty far much during this.

SPEAKER_18 31:26

Police say the Carta Thompson could be seen on surveillance footage entering the suspects vehicle at the family domer store in University Boulevard around three in the morning on August 23rd. Those were her last known wear bounds before her body was discovered off route 50. The police identified what appeared to be bloodstains, women's lingerie, hair from a wig consistent with one that Thompson wore, and a fingernail that matches one missing from Thompson's hand when searching Hernandez Mendez's residence. Now the state's attorney says that there will be next steps in this case. It is very much an ongoing investigation. As to the court process, Hernandez Mendez is due again back in court on October 8th for his preliminary hearing.

SPEAKER_16 32:05

Katie, what did the state's attorney say about his status as someone in the country illegally?

SPEAKER_18 32:09

Well, we asked about that. She said that's not her primary concern right now, and that her focus is on justice for the victim and for the victim's family.

SPEAKER_05 32:18

In the months following DeCar Thompson's death, her case began shaping public policy in Georgia's county. Council member Fisher of District introduced new legislation designed to formalize the county of the police department. The bill also aims to ensure families know that they can contact authorities immediately when a loved one goes missing. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_04 34:14

It puts in our county code that there is no wait time to file a missing persons report here in Prince George's County. Our amazing law enforcement has not had a wait time for filing missing persons, but it's clear throughout our community and advocacy work that not everybody in our community understands or feels that when they're dealing with someone who is missing. The law also requires our Department of Health to start a campaign specifically on missing black women and girls here in our county. You know, uh when Dakara went missing, it was in my district. And at that time I got to meet um just a woman that is strength fortified, Dakara's mom, Carmen, who um and her aunt Danica, and as we were and Mr. Thompson, her father, and as we were searching, I realized we have to do something more than just search. We have to make sure that every black girl or woman in Prince George's County matters and is a sense of urgency and can be found as best as we can. And so I'm really um excited for today. We have a few speakers. I want to start with our council chair, um, council chair Crystal Oriata.

SPEAKER_03 35:36

Good morning. Um I just want to say first and foremost uh to the family that we are with you in this moment, and it's important to us that we stay with the family. And that's what this moment and what my uh colleague is doing is saying that in these moments of pain that we know you're experiencing, how can we make sure that there's justice, awareness, and that the memory stays? And that's what this legislation will do. So I'm thankful to Councilmember Fisher uh for her vision and saying that how can we ensure that this doesn't happen again? How can we ensure that there's advocacy and awareness? And I want to thank my other colleagues, uh Councilmember Adam Stafford and Hunter for standing with her here today. Uh when she called me about this legislation, I was 100% on support because I know the impact it's going to have. And I'm committing right here today that I will guarantee that additional resources will be put to organizations that focus on finding and advocating for black missing women. We will be moving that as a council when it comes to funding grants and nonprofits that focus in that area because for too long, we have to do the work. We have to post on social media, we have to push the narrative, we have to print the flyers and do all of the work for our family members. And the reality is that there needs to be institutions and organizations that are well resourced that can do this for us so that the family doesn't have to do that work alone. So thank you for everyone in this room that is standing with this family. Thank you for the council member and her leadership and her work. Uh, and I know that this will pass and this will be resourced. So thank you.

SPEAKER_04 37:33

Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate it. I'm trying not to get emotional this morning. I also um made sure I wore pink, and you see everyone wearing pink, and I know um I'm gonna call uh Dakara's mom Carmen up, um, but Dakara's favorite color was pink, and of course I am immediately connected to her because anyone in the county knows my favorite color is pink. Um, so I just felt very connected with her in spirit and more. And I want to say I know all of you in this room have jobs, have life going on. Thank you for being here. Not for this legislation, for Dakara and for her family. Thank you all. I hope you all get a round of applause for being here this morning. It means something, and it shows the colleagues in the county how important this legislation is. So I want to say that.

SPEAKER_05 38:17

Dakara's mother, Carmen Thompson, also spoke about the family's continued push for justice in court while also advocating for systemic change through Decara Rose's law. She also speaks about this effort in changing the way that missing persons' reports are handled while also speaking about turning her pain into purpose. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_07 38:43

Good morning, good day, council, constituents, family, and friends who have joined to support the proposal for the Dakar Rose Law today. On behalf of our family and in honor of our precious Rose, we would like to thank you kindly for your time and consideration. I would like to express special gratitude to Councilwoman Juanika Fisher from the moment I met her at my daughter's prayer vigil, at our daughter's prayer vigil, she has been nothing but gracious, her staff as well. She has been committed to helping us turn our pain into purpose, hence what brought us all here today. As we all know, when someone goes missing, every moment is critical. If we can educate the public about how promptly the missing reports are filed, uploaded, and immediately go active into the system, it could potentially increase the success rate of finding adults over the age of 18 at a higher success rate. It is now my life's purpose not to let our daughter's death be in vain. She started her young adult life with purpose, dedicating her time and service to others. We will continue to honor her commitment. She was our precious daughter, loved by many. Her light will continue to shine bright in her physical absence, therefore, it shall be amen.

SPEAKER_05 40:09

Her mother said that her daughter Dakara committed her life to service and that this is the family doing their part on her behalf. Other family members also echo the importance of public awareness. They admitted that they were unaware that there was no required wait time to file a missing person's report. Dakara's aunt speaks about the importance of family members advocating for your missing loved ones because their lives matter. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_09 40:43

Good morning, everyone. First, I want to I want to thank you all for coming out today. No matter when we put the call out for something that we need, you all show up and you show out. So I want to thank you for that. Um, I'm not going to repeat the part about the education part, but that is very important because I wasn't aware that there was no wait time in Maryland. There was no wait time to report the hours. So this education piece is very important because it will make everyone aware and it will make everyone do more. I want to personally thank Councilwoman Fisher. At the prayer vigil, she showed up, she showed out, she had on her pink. First thing she said was, What more can I do to assist? We talked about the bill then, and she has been standing strong for this family, for Carmen, for Daniel, and she has hit the ground running nonstop. Everything that we've needed, every conversation, every outing. Councilwoman Fisher has been there, and I want to thank her. I want to also thank her staff. Her staff has been amazing. She does everything that she needs to do to make us aware to get that word out. So I just want to thank her staff, and I again I want to thank all of you all for coming. Jeanette is going to be speaking. We work together for domestic violence, but I'm here today in a different capacity. Jeanette hits the ground running, also, so get to know Jeanette. But again, I want to thank you all for coming out because this is very important. Also, the most important thing as a family, I don't want to put the onus only on the politicians, law enforcement, the family. You have to get out there, you have to do that footwork. You have to make people understand that black and brown people matter. When we got that call, we hit that ground running, we put out flyers, we social media, we hit social media, we did everything for our loved one. So you have to also do for your loved one. And then when you do for your loved one, you will get that support from law enforcement politicians. That's why they're in the office. Make them do their job. We didn't have to make Councilwoman do her job because she did her job. But I just want to also say, family members, get out there and show that your loved ones matter.

SPEAKER_05 42:44

The trial for Hernandez Mendez was scheduled for March 2026. Those proceedings were later pushed back to September. For DeCara Thompson's family, they have to continue to relive this nightmare that they woke up in the day that their daughter went missing. The fight exists on two fronts seeking justice in the courtroom and ensuring her name lives on through a law designed to protect others. Through remembrance and reform, they have worked to transform laws into purpose. Nicara Thompson will always be remembered for her commitment to others. And while we do not know the origins of how she actually met Hernandez Mendez, Nicara's life mattered. She was important to her family, her friends, and her community. And her light will never be dimmed because her light continues to shine in her absence. This law will change lives for many families when their loved ones go missing. 19-year-old young woman. And what makes this case so sad is that Dakara had her entire life ahead of her, but that was taken away by someone who was a predator. Now I know that here in America, the climate and the narrative is hyper focused on people who are in this country illegally. I'm not gonna feed into that political narrative. But what I will say is this the frustrating thing with this case is that when this man was detained by the Park Police, which is a federal agency who knew that he was in this country illegally and they released this man, this is where my problem lies. Because had he been detained, Dakara Thompson would be alive today. We don't know how she met this man. We do not know the origins of their contact. But what I can tell you is this man was a predator and he was a 35-year-old man. Tell me where a 35-year-old man has interest in a 19-year-old girl. The problem doesn't lie in what the political narratives are, the problem lies in the predators, the murderers, the rapists who take lives, who destroy families. Dakara Thompson should be here today. And let me circle back to Dekara Rose's law. Why is it that when black and brown girls come up missing, there's protocol, there's wait times. There shouldn't be any wait times if the family is saying, my child, my niece, my daughter, my granddaughter, they're missing. And we know this is not their pattern of behavior. Why aren't these things taken with priority? Waiting 48 hours could make the difference in finding someone who is in real danger. You guys know my problem is after the fact. Let's do this legislation, let's change these things. It's only when something happens that you all do something. This man, and I'm not even gonna repeat his name, this sickening man lured this young woman, took her to his home, probably tried to rape her, and brutally murdered her. And then, if that isn't cruel enough, took her body and threw it on the side of the highway like trash. There lies your problem. A murderer is a murderer, and that young lady's life mattered. Her life mattered. She should still be here. Nineteen years old is way too young to lose your life. My heart goes out to her family, her mother, her father, the people who loved her, the community that showed up for her. This man is a complete monster. And whatever happens to him, let it play out. Because this is disgusting. And this was a senseless murder. If the park police would have done their job, Dakara Thompson would be here today. And my heart aches for the pain that this young woman had to go through, the suffering in her final hours. Dakara Thompson, may your sweet and beautiful soul forever rest in peace. Thank you guys for tuning in to another episode of Senseless True Crime. We appreciate every listen, every message, and every story you send our way. You can reach the show anytime at senseless true crime at gmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook at senseless true crime podcasts. And until next time, stay safe, stay informed, and please take care of yourselves.