Ex-boyfriend arrested at Mexico border after Morgan Hill 18-year-old's death
Marissa DiNapoli's ex-boyfriend arrested in her death
Martin Mendoza, 20, was arrested at the Mexico border for the death of ex-girlfriend, Marissa DiNapoli of Morgan Hill.
MORGAN HILL, Calif. - Law enforcement on Monday announced the arrest of an ex-boyfriend at the California-Mexico border following the death of an 18-year-old Morgan Hill woman, whose body was found last week near the Anderson River.
Morgan Hill police said Martin Mendoza, 20, was charged with murder in connection with Marissa DiNapoli's death. The two had dated for a time, police and co-workers said.
Ex-boyfriend arrested at Mexico border in death of Morgan Hill woman
Law enforcement on Monday announced the arrest of an ex-boyfriend at the California-Mexico border following the death of an 18-year-old Morgan Hill woman, whose body was found last week near the Anderson River.
Police said he was arrested by federal officers at the border while trying to come back to the United States from Mexico on Sunday.
"This arrest marks a significant step toward justice in a case that has devastated Marissa’s loved ones and shaken our entire community," police said in a statement. "While Mendoza’s arrest may bring a measure of relief, it does not ease the heartbreak we all continue to feel. Marissa was a radiant, compassionate young woman with a future full of promise. Her loss is profound, and our grief is shared."
Former foster youth
That profound loss is a sentiment shared by DiNapoli's family, who issued a statement on social media Monday afternoon.
In the post, family members referred to the victim as their baby sister.
"We want to thank the countless community members who searched for Marissa and helped bring her home. Your kindness and determination touched us deeply. We are so grateful for your love, your action, and your belief that Marissa's life mattered," the statement read in part.
The post went on to say how the victim was the youngest of eight siblings. It explains that she and her siblings were adopted by the DiNapoli family who gave them a loving home.
The post is signed by Julian, Moses and the Ramirez siblings. They identify the biological parents, but say that children were put up for adoption due to challenges within the family.
"We're all former foster youth who grew up in the South Bay. Many of you helped raise us — and we’ve never forgotten that," the post read.
Police questioned over investigation
In the family's post they also accused the Morgan Hill Police Department of failing to respond with urgency to the situation.
In their timeline of events, they claim officers confronted Mendoza in person but did not arrest or detain him for questioning. They say Mendoza fled within hours of that encounter.
KTVU previously reported that police had one conversation with Mendoza, but on Monday, Police Captain Mario Ramirez with MHPD said the department had "no contact with the suspect after DiNapoli was reported missing."
The family also said Mendoza was only apprehended by accident while attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border a week after Marissa's death.
"We believe racial and systemic bias contributed to their inaction — costing us precious time. Their delay compromised not just Marissa's safety, but the public safety as a whole," their statement read.
The family is calling for an independent investigation of this case and for a formal audit of the Morgan Hill Police Department's handling of the case.
Body found near Anderson Reservoir ID'd as Marissa DiNapoli
Morgan Hill police identified DiNapoli's ex-boyfriend as a person of interest, and are still searching for him.
Ramirez said of the family's accusations, "We’re not here to comment or judge the way someone grieves, and this is a very tough situation. They lost a loved one, so if the anger is towards us, then the anger is towards us."
Initially, DiNapoli's family shared a brief statement, asking for privacy. They specifically said they did not want to raise money through any GoFundMe.
Instead, they asked, if people want to show support, "please do so through your prayers, kind words, and cherished memories." In their latest statement, they are now asking for guidance from anyone in navigating the civic or legal process.
Efforts to reach Mendoza and his family were not immediately successful on Monday.
DiNapoli was last seen on June 29 and reported missing the following day.
She said she was staying with a friend and would return home the next day.
Police said her body was found on July 2, by a drone. The family said a member of the community found the body, not law enforcement.
During the search for her, police said Mendoza was the last person seen with DiNapoli and he was considered a "person of interest" in the case.
It's unclear how DiNapoli died, or what the motive was for her death.
Morgan Hill police said 30 investigators, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, worked on this case.
Mendoza is being transferred from the Imperial County Sheriff's Office to Santa Clara County Jail, where he is expected to be booked and have his first court appearance later this week.
Police said Mendoza has a criminal history.
There will also be three community events to mark DiNapoli's death, including on Monday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Central High School, as well as on Tuesday and Wednesday, both at 6 p.m. at the Morgan Hill Community Cultural Center.
KTVU's Crystal Bailey contributed to this story.
Editor's note: Previous versions said that police had a conversation with Mendoza. On Monday, police said that was incorrect.