A 20-year-old man in California has been charged with murder after he stabbed his girlfriend in the back five times and left her to die. This happened after a confrontation about her talking to an ex-boyfriend, police say.
What Happened?
The victim, Marissa DiNapoli, 18, was seen on security footage walking with Martin Mendoza Jr., her boyfriend, on June 29. The footage, taken from a Ring camera, shows them leaving a residence in Morgan Hill, just a day before she went missing. Mendoza is said to have confronted her about contacting her ex-boyfriend.
The video reportedly shows Marissa looking visibly apprehensive as Mendoza spoke to her. Shortly after, the couple’s phones showed they were heading towards Anderson Lake. It was there that Mendoza allegedly attacked Marissa, stabbing her five times in the back.
The Search for Marissa
Marissa failed to show up for work at Starbucks on June 30, and her co-workers reported her missing. Police then started searching for her. Mendoza, on the other hand, was seen trying to leave the U.S., crossing into Mexico on July 1. However, he was arrested when he tried to return to the U.S. on July 6.
Marissa’s body was found at Anderson Lake on July 2.
What Authorities Found
When police investigated, they discovered five stab wounds on Marissa’s back. Authorities also learned that there had been previous incidents of domestic violence between the couple that had not been reported.
Legal Action
Mendoza has been charged with murder, with aggravating circumstances because he allegedly used a deadly weapon and took advantage of his position of trust. He has been denied bail and did not enter a plea during his arraignment on Tuesday.
